Confusion! [P]

[Messatsu!]

"*Cough. . .Cough. . .COUGH*"

A series of virulent coughs forced themselves abruptly from Ue's lungs all thanks to the sharp burn from minuscule particles of dust and debris that managed to find their way into his system. The pain that was shooting through every living inch of his body was alarming, his head still rang in a odd melodic rhythm from having been hit by what he though was some unfathomable and unstoppable force, not to mention the concrete walls that his body so aimlessly plowed through. Though most of the rock particles and debris feel from his cloths from his floundered stroll, he was still covered in dirt to the point were he looked as though he himself was some sort of conjuration of doton.

Finally, after a plethora of struggled steps, Ue made it outside of Konohagakure and into the mouth of Hi no kuni's forest, slumped over on both knees while removing his mask, allowing what coughs remained within, release themselves. He was seriously hurt without a doubt, for several of those coughs were accompanies by clots of blood that spilled aimlessly from his maw like a loose geyser. His respective hand uplifted to his mouth, wiping away the crimson paint from his lips as he took in hard pulls of air as a means to re-obtain himself with a ample intake of oxygen.

"Cough. . .what the hell was that back there. It came out of no where and hit me hard, didn't even have time to deduce who or what could have harmed me in such a way. . .Cough!"

Beginning to regain himself, he came to one knee while resting his parallel arm upon it as if to be a arm rest. Continuing his balance pattern of heavy breathing his head turned to peak over his shoulder, looking back at his village before turning his head back to his forefronts. Leaf had much mightier forces than Bakudon Gai had done, but, oddly enough through all that's happened, he can't recall having seen even a lick of cloud shinobi coming to aid them - pathetic. Whats the point of having allies when they don't show up when its needed the most.

"I'll be back soon enough Konoha, but first, there are some things that need to be investigated."

With a few minutes of rest, Ue caught his breath and allowed an ample amount of time for the pain to subside before deciding to move for extended periods, he didn't want to over work his body, not with the degree of damage he'd just received. Needless to say a casual gait would carry him away from the village, and towards Kumogakure no sato.

[Bombshell]

Although a struggle it was, I managed to break free and flee from our inevitably doomed homeland. I was actually regretful that I left in such a hurry, perhaps I could have taken out one of those warriors before retreating. Alas, I made a split second decision that'd change the course of my life, and at this point and time, I had no idea whether the ramifications would turn out for my benefit, or be my downfall. Either way, I held my head up high, and held back a wave of tears by gulping down the buildup of saliva in my mouth.

The split second choice I made, it was not for my own sake, although it may be hard to believe, but I acted in accordance to potentially save Ue's life. He had faith in me being able to find and reach him, so I would have the same faith that he had made it out alive. I was inclined to, no, it was my duty to find the wounded man and tend to his needs the best I could. We were all we had at the moment, and I wouldn't have the burden of failing both my Village and comrade on my chest.

As I bounced from tree to tree in search of the cloaked Ue, I would have no luck. I began to panic, and with this panic, my search intensified. After a few minutes of frantic tear filled searching, although it felt like hours to me, I would finally locate a black figure 5 meters away from me. My pace would double, then triple the one it was before.

As I flew through the air, I would notice that Ue was quite injured, he was struggling to even crawl. What a trooper, I thought to myself. I ascended down from the trees to his level. I knew to keep my distance incase he lashed out in defense and hit me unbeknownst to who I was, putting myself at a safer distance of 3 meters. Eventually, I brought up the courage to speak, and I would notice my voice was much more timid than it usually was, perhaps this event changed me.

"U....u...ue, Is that you"

[Messatsu!]

"U....u...ue, Is that you"

A voice called out to Ue, namely a voice that beseemed a woman that he was fairly familiar with, though not entirely, for him to fully recognize this 'voice' a face would need to go along with it, and truthfully, it would all too soon. Still damaged to some degree he was able to lightly walk, but it wasn't enough to get very far in the time that he'd been gone, namely enough for someone to catch up to him. Reflexively his head turned towards the origins of said voice, coming to find out that it was none other than Sora, a member of his newly assigned team after having been promoted to the prodigious rank of Chunnin. Leaning over to the side -shoulder first- against a hulking tree, he looked back over the opposite shoulder with the beautiful sight of Sora coming into view.

("Sora?! What's she doing here, she must have somehow followed me.")

"Sora? Surprised to see you here, seems like you managed to escape as well, but what are you doing here, and what happened to me? I couldn't even make out what hit me."

Maybe she had feelings for hiim personally, maybe she just simply went to such lengths to make sure that her superiors and comrades are ok, needless to say Ue had no damn clue at all, and isn't to be expected, considerin' that he still has the mentality of a male. Forever clueless when it came to the concerns and needs of the opposite sex. Presuming that she'd follow, he tried to take a step away from the tree, which ultimately induced a sharp summoning of pain in his ribs where he'd been struck by that man's reverse blade. Instinctively his hand wrapped itself around his ribs, comforting the pain as best as possible.

Falling to a single knee, he caught his breath once more before standing just as he had done so before while turning to properly face her and meet gaze with eyes of mixed emotion, stirring with pain and assurance that she was in fact safe after everything that had transpired today.

"Heh, I guess I'm not that much of a captain you expected me to be, getting defeated so easily."

[Bombshell]

Even though we had only known eachother for a few hours, it seemed as if we had been through much more. In these course of events, I found something I wasn't expecting to find. Maybe I'm just crazy, and just a little smitten, but something about this man made it hard for me to choose to leave him over my village. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I was intoxicated by the things he had done. As I predicted, I would grow to be attached to him, but at a much faster rate than any person could've calculated.

This attack on Konoha acted as a catalyst for feelings to come, turning what was a simple flirtatious exchange of greetings into something more. Atleast, for me anyways. I doubted he felt even the slightest bit how I felt at the moment.

I began to really analyze what I just did. I had basically abandoned my whole village out of a curiosity for this unknown man. I had said I'd protect my village, but it seemed my words would be simply full of hypocrisy.

My choice and mind however, had been made, and as sad a choice it may have been, I chose it, I would have to suffer the consequences and burdens of the choice. My responsibilty would be in effect right here and now, as I noticed Ue fall to his knees in crippling pain. I rushed over to his aid, supporting him and laying him against a tree.

("Sora? Surprised to see you here, seems like you managed to escape as well, but what are you doing here, and what happened to me? I couldn't even make out what hit me.")

I smiled to comfort him, although I wasn't to pleased with his choice of words. He was suprised? Maybe I'm just overreacting, but a better choice could have been used. Nevertheless, I managed to keep my facade up and comfort him for the time being.

("Heh, I guess I'm not that much of a captain you expected me to be, getting defeated so easily.")

"I fled to help you Ue, I figured the blow the samurai dealt you with his chakra extension didn't kill you, so I tried to find you, but you were already long gone. I know it was foolish of me, but-"

A stream of tears I struggled to hold back would now flow. My resolve had been shattered, the strong and confident mask I wore was now torn in two. All these years I tried to make myself something I wasn't, and its utter failure was evident at this moment. I looked away from Ue to mask my mourning, bitting my lip gently to try and keep me from crying. The timid, foolish girl I truly was had reemerged after years of me pushing it down.

[Messatsu!]

Her touch? Soft, like, velvety soft. It was a pleasurable feeling, a feeling Ue hadn't felt in years while having his life smothered in hate, pain, and war. With Sora's helping hands and what strength left they he mustered within his calves, Ue was brought back up against the tree once more, peering off deeply into the pools of the woman before him, momentarily losing himself within them completely had she not given her swift retort to him so quickly. With a smile superceding her swords, Ue couldn't help but smile back.

"I fled to help you Ue, I figured the blow the samurai dealt you with his chakra extension didn't kill you, so I tried to find you, but you were already long gone. I know it was foolish of me, but-"

That smile wiped itself clean off his face as tears began to aimlessly spill from here eyes, it was possible that from all that had transpired from today, and so many thoughts and goals that needed to be accomplished, he hadn't realized just how much this woman cared - how foolish. Hold his ribs with one hand, his other, reached out for Sora's chin as she looked away so quickly, feeling vulnerable for exposing herself whether it was unintentional or intentional, needless to say, it wasn't the most assuring feeling. Ue's eyes lowered as he cupped Sora's chin between his pointing finger and his thumb, turning her head back towards him.

And then. . .this feeling.

It was something natural, unfathomable and inexplicable, something he had to act upon rather than think it through. And just like that his head lunged forward, locking his lips with Sora's own. Her lips was soft, Ue's initially thought, followed by a overwhelming wave of emotion seemingly never felt before that housed itself within the pit of his stomach. After a few ample seconds he released his lips from hers before slapping on his steel face mask while push up to both feet.

"It wasn't foolish, I'm grateful you had enough care to come find me, a great many people lack that quality, glad to know I've got that blessing. Its just odd to think why they haven't come to Konoah's aid after having been informed weeks ago. . .something isn't right, I just know it. I think I've had enough time to rest, I should make my way back the the hidden leaf. . . For now

[Bombshell]

Tears would continue to fall down my cheeks, tainting my skin with its saltiness. In the midst of my weeping, a hand would reach out to caress my skin, soft like silk it felt, though in reality it was rough as sandpaper. I felt a change in the atmosphere as the hand graced my face, as if... for a moment atleast, nothing else mattered but what was in the here and now. As if Konoha wasn't under attack, as if all stresses were gone. It was a blissful moment, although shortlived.

Then, the unexpected happened. Ue, a man I had only met a few hours ago, would extend his head out and reel mine in for a connection that'd last a life time. Our lips would intertwine with eachothers for a few, amazing seconds. For the first time, I felt something different. He was worth protecting.


Throughout my life, I had lived a terrible lie. I wanted so bad to please my country, to serve in any way I could. I didn't belong here and I knew it. Quite literally too. I had never felt an actual part of the community, rather, I felt as if I was intergrated into it, and poorly at that. I didn't even have a real last name. They told me... I was orphaned. They told me my parents died in a terrible battle. All these things set aside, I still had some connection toward the village, but in these past years, it has begun to fade.

Ue would release from his grasp and attempt to stand up. I wanted so bad to take him in for another kiss, but I knew this was not the time nor place. We had to get to Kumogakure and warn them of the threat to come. Possibly, we could convince them to help fend off the invaders. Ue would slip his steel mask on once again, and would begin to speak.

("It wasn't foolish, I'm grateful you had enough care to come find me, a great many people lack that quality, glad to know I've got that blessing. . . So, come with me, I'm heading to Kumo to find out why they haven't come to Konoha's aid after having been informed weeks ago. . .something isn't right. I just know it. I think I've had enough time to rest, I should make my way back the the hidden leaf. . . For now ")

It was true, Kumogakure failed to respond after what happened in Bakudon Gai, and because of that, we were delayed in mobilizing for war, let alone an attack. With a shortage on skilled, battle ready ninja, having Kumogakure forces could've detered the Kiri and Suna ninja atleast. However none of this was possible due to Kumo's lack of diligence. Ue and I were the only ones we had at the moment, and wherever he went, I would be going aswell.

[Messatsu!]

Silence was all that had surrounded Ue as his lips separated from Sora's own, it was a magical feeling, but just like all great things, it had to come to an end - unfortunately. After have masked his face behind his face mask, he made his posistion known to Sora, and from the looks of things -presuming from her silence- she seemed flattered by his level of appreciation. Hopefully she believed him, not that he was lying or anything, his words were truth and bore no falsities - he was lucky to have met a woman such as Sora in such a time. Needless to say things would only get deeper after this attack, and in turn, Ue would need to grow stronger and prepare for the plans he had in store for not only Sora and himself, but the world as well.

"Hm, going through with this plan, I'll need to make a few preparations first. Firstly I'll need to increase the speed and power of my Jutsu output, and fortunately, I know just the plan."

With that he'd cut Sora a single nod before turning about face while concurrently reaching for various pouches around his waist and back, eventually placing 5 scrolls across the ground, all of which were adjacent to one another. With that stage complete he retrieved a small brush and a veil of ink from within one of the inner pockets of his pitch dark robe, dabbing the brush's tip with ink. Reducing his stance to a dual kneel, he began to write encrypted incantations upon all five scrolls, taking several minutes to do so. He did it in such a brisk way as to not keep Sora in the shadows and bored for majority of the time he prepared these powerful scrolls.

"With these scrolls I will be able to seal my most powerful jutus within them, thus allowing me quick access to them without the abundant amount of handseals within the heat of battle."

With the written incantation complete upon all five scrolls, He'd perform a 5 seperate sets of hand seals followed by slamming an open palm into the center of each scroll, sealing Orochi Daija (Thunder Style – Zeus’ Leviathan - S) within all five scrolls. With that out of the way, he rose back to his feet before turning back to Sora while rolling up one scroll and handing it to her.

"Here, take this, you may need it. But only use it wisely, I've sealed my most powerful technique into all five of these scrolls. You now have at your disposal a near forbidden, kage level technique without need to perform the overly long process of handseals."

After giving his own retort, he rolled up the remaining scrolls before sliding them into separate pouches within his robes.

SPOILER: Click to show

b]Fuuinjutsu Ikkou (Storage Sealing Technique)

[/b]⁶²⁵
Rank: D, C, B , A, S
Type: Supplementary / Juuinjutsu (Seals & Barriers)
Range: Hand's reach.
Special: Allows the storage of various different items either onto a scroll or onto oneself via the generic seal. Can seal items equal to highest rank known. Sealing and unsealing items costs a 'C' ranked amount of chakra per batch time.
Description: This technique is a standard ninja skill which allows a ninja to summon an assortment of items that have been stored using fūinjutsu. Scrolls are the most common choice for item storage. When needed, the owner will activate the seals releasing their item or weapon of choice. Scrolls can also be used as ammunition for other weapons or have other seals inside of them, which expands the number of potential tricks a shinobi can use. Weapons are the most commonly sealed objects, with puppet jutsu also using this by having these hidden inside various compartments as a means of increasing their own killing potential as well as hiding useful weapons from the opponent's sight.
Domain: Universal Juuinjutsu.

• Fuuka Houin (Elemental Sealing Method)⁶²⁵
  Rank: D, C, B , A, S
  Type: Supplementary / Juuinjutsu (Seals & Barriers)
  Range: Hand's reach.
  Special: Allows the storage of elemental chakra equal to highest rank known. Unsealing elemental jutsu costs one rank less than what the jutsu is worth.
  Description: This jutsu allows the user to seal any release chakra, basic or advanced, into a scroll. The user first places the seal on a scroll and then performs the required hand seals. This causes a countering elemental creation to appear from the scroll, enveloping the release chakra one wishes to acquire and sealing it on the scroll. in the end, the result is the scroll possessing the kanji for seal (封).
  Domain: Universal Juuinjutsu. Must know 'Storage Sealing Technique'.

[/spoiler]

[Bombshell]

It had seemed surreal, the kiss, as if I was watching myself in some glorified tragedy of how two people's love for one another would lead them through death, and cause them to be ridiculed as purely foolish. I would remeber how I was one who ridiculed them as well, but now I understood the sweet moment that would make everything else not matter.

The kiss was short however, and the actions that proceeded would be quite befitting of the enviorment around us. He would give me a quick nod and speak a few words before he pulled out five intricate scrolls in which he would create a vivid display of his sealsmanship. After a series of delibrate brush strokes, he would preform an impressive display of handseals and slam his hand onto the the scroll, for a total of five teams.

What he was doing, I had no clue, nor did I really care to know, I was too busy dwelling on the transaction of feelings which had just occured. All that raced through my minds was our future, rather than the present. A silly mindstate nonetheless, I would be briskly interrupted by Ue as he turned to me. In his hand he held out one of the very scrolls he had just prepared to me. I gave him a puzzled look, and before I could form words to ask what it was for, he would explain it all.

("Here, take this, you may need it. But only use it wisely, I've sealed my most powerful technique into all five of these scrolls. You now have at your disposal a near forbidden, kage level technique without need to perform the overly long process of handseals.")

I would thank him and recieve the scroll, tucking it neatly in a compartment of my jacket. He would follow by doing the same.

Then it happened.

I though that things couldn't get worse for our village, but it seems they just did. From out of nowhere literally, a spherical force would ecslipse the land around us. A disheartening shadow would impend upon us, foreshadowing the destruction to come. The intended target; Konoha.

Luckily, our momentary retreat from the village would prove to be our a life saving choice. In hindsight, protecting Konoha was a useless endeavor, how could we expect to defeat someone- or something who could use a technique of that level.

We could only look on into the future now, we couldn't turn back anymore. Onwards and upwards.

[/exit]

[marvolous.]

Gene: +40.
... Other dude: +40.