Reminiscence [Open]

[Katsumaru]

[/center]

Bittersweet, a path to the future, yet the taint of older times gleams so brightly.[/b][/i]

The dream was but a flicker, a rapid stream of old regrets. Grudgingly Touketsu awoke beneath a broad oak tree, the entire body aching as if he had slept on solid rock. A wretched pain travelled along the spine, the lengthy vertebrae seemingly mocking the Airontoku with the stringing, showing not even the slightest mercy for having fallen asleep in such a foolish place. The beams of the sun penetrated the heavily leaved branches of the forest. Soothing warmth attached a tinge of pleasure to the crude awakening in the multihued flora of Hi no Kuni. Trees spread far in utmost grandiosity as the tune of the swaying leaves intermingled with the chirping and hissing of the wild inhabitants. Birds flapped their wings furiously as they soared through the vivid blue skies scarcely covered by clouds, their travel uninhibited.

An excess of mucus gathered in Touketsu’s throat during sleep, swallowed only with a struggle after releasing a deep breath tainted with the stench of alcohol. An unfilled bottle, the culprit for the aching head, lied beside him, emptied not only with hasty gulps, but partially poured onto the grounds after having fallen asleep, the same odor rising from the soil as from his breath. He had travelled through Hi no Kuni for several days, but quite foolishly, without a purpose, no destination or locale at which he wanted to arrive. Hence, the Airontoku had accomplished nothing aside from simply wandering, stomach barely filled as he had chosen alcohol over foodWith an extended sigh, Touketsu leaned forward, resting both calloused palms against his brow, recalling memories of the dream, however slight they were.

The Airontoku recalled the dream without much difficulty, a dream of burning rural village, the weeping of the young, and the hushed voices of mothers attempting to comfort their children while no less terrified. Such an inefficient method of consolation, but that event, it had occurred during the time of war, and none could do any better. The man himself, Touketsu, participated in the fighting during the grim period of history, and on that specific day, he too held a blade, but it was swung weakly. The sacking of the village, his own inability served not in the slightest to prevent it. The other things that happened on the day – he rather not recall. Memories of the war had often tainted his mind. Quickly brushing the thoughts out of mind, Touketsu pushed himself upward, vertigo quickly rising to the head. Stumbling backwards the man took yet another breath as he leaned against the tree, instinctively reaching to the left hip in an attempt to grab the hilt of his blade, an unconscious act to comfort.

There was no blade. Horror manifested as Touketsu quickly shifted his gaze, frustration and anger intermingling with the fear of having lost his beloved sword. But he was not entirely unfortunate, as it lied in the shadow of the tree, unsheathed, the tip of the blade dug into the ground as the hilt pointed upward. Likely that ruined the tip and the Airontoku was entirely unsure of why he had left it in such a wretched position, but with a slight shrug he trotted over and returned it to the silver sheathe. His belongings, only a pouch holding several tools, lied only several steps away. Grabbing it hastily and strapping it, along with the blade, to his waist, Touketsu returned to his travel. Still he had no destination, and was entirely unsure of where he was, hence reaching a village or town was the only objective on this day. The aching of his body and head refused to subside, adding a certain wretchedness to each step. There was no time to pause. Gritting his teeth, Touketsu trotted on.[/ul][/font]

[bladesondeck]

As Aray trekked through the perilous and almost endless stretch of forest, he took the time to think back on his past actions as an Iwa affiliate. Thinking back made him furious, so furious, he ripped off his headband from his head and threw it with all the strength he could muster. Upon wandering aimlessly around the emerald colored forest he paused for a second to take a grasp on how serious his actions were. He abandoned the village of Iwa and disowned his headband tying him to Tsuchi no Kuni (Earth Country) to travel into unknown lands and plunging into unknown dangers. Aside from those decisions, by far the worse was wandering into a seemingly infinite forest and being stripped of any sense of direction.

Trying to remain calm Aray set aside time for himself to sit down and calmly asses the situation. In an almost meditative state he sat down and thought of the many possible ways of receiving help in some form or another. He knew the worst time to be active is at night so the best thing to do is to move around as much as possible during the day. No assistance would be available near night time as well, the best possible way he could seek help from another person is to hopefully bump into someone who is either from Konoha or knows their way around the forest enough to lead him onto a trail or path. As he rose, he formulated a plan, which was to hopefully find someone else who is in the forest.

Aray knew something wasn't right, he felt as though his plan relied heavily on a margin that was too thin. The possibility of him finding another person wandering the forest is about 1/400 and every time he moves (he believes) the number multiplies by each step taken. "The more ground I cover, the more my chances increase" he habitually repeated to himself. The sound of his voice bounced back off the trees as though the trees themselves were mocking him and his silly ideas. Aray noticed something in the distance as he proceeded forward, trekking deeper into the forest, a shadowy figure approx. 600 meters away in the distance, the figure remained unidentifiable but became slightly more visible as he cautiously proceeded towards the figure.

[Katsumaru]

[/i]Whether the move to inquire was wise, possibly leaving himself as a mere target, was not taken into consideration when the sheer surprise of coming across another washed over his senses. Touketsu’s clothing was stained in dirt, his head wild, but one thing rung through; the symbol representing his home, his very village, a headband carrying the symbol of Konohagakure. The other one, he could not be so sure, as the features were still not revealed over the distance. Stepping closer after the inquiry, the Airontoku did not come to a halt, closing the distance with a hastened step. Yelling once again would be rather unpleasant for his throat.

It seemed as if fate had taken a twist. No more was he doomed to wander the lands with only the calls of the animals. The winds subsided after several moments, the will of the nature, her very actions falling silent for all but the calls of the vermin lurking in the filth beneath Touketsu’s feet. How unpleasant this travel had been. Dirt, insects, but at least the food was fresh.
[/ul]

[bladesondeck]

Aray head the distant voice as he marched on into the wildy changing environment, as it seemed to twist as the figure became clearer with every step onwards into the green maze. friend or foe!!.. echoed throughout the ever turbulent forest, the single sound of this uneasy but threatening roar stood alone amongst the various noises the forest emitted. " Friend!!! "Aray calmly and assertively answered. The figure started to take shape, the clouded and ebony colored figure took shape to a young man with an unusual red-tint. "I didn't mean any harm or to frighten you, but I am on the search for the Konoha Gates do you know where they might be? I left Iwa to come into the Hidden Leaf..". The young man did not reply, he just steadily looked on at Aray to see if he developed an elaborate lie in order to gain a cheap shot. He slowly and wisely nodded, "Nice Blade, hope you don't use it on me!! I'm on your side!! hahahaha... uhhh" he awkwardly chuckled.

The wind rippled through the canopy of the forest, the breeze of life flew between the dead space Aray and Touketsu created. As cautious as ever, Aray extended his hand for a shake of agreement, "Hey, if you help me find the gates, I'll help you with any goals you have set. You might not want to enter to Konoha but I know I could help you in some way or another".

[Katsumaru]

[/i] Touketsu uttered, his tone a deep, almost hostile growl. Yet, the pitch of the voice came not due a dislike for the Hyuuga nor the boy at which he stared, but rather from irritating, frustration, and the sheer monotony of these lands which had slowly worn on him. ”A Hyuuga from Iwagakure, why?” Touketsu asked, his right hand sliding closer to the hilt of the blade as he took a step back, growing somewhat wary. He knew nothing of the Hyuuga’s inner working, but he was certain that the white-eyed warriors originated from Konohagakure.

Touketsu simply ignored the question regarding the comment on the blade, the awkward laughter. Taking a step closer, the hand slipped further away from the blade. ”I am a Konohagakure shinobi. I will lead you there under the condition that you provide me with information on Iwagakure. The shinobi there, the abilities, the Kage, everything you can provide. Further, you will not only serve under the Kage, but me, come to my aid when required, should you be allowed in the village.” the conditions were stated and the Airontoku fell silent again, his breathing raspy as he awaited a reply.

Life often takes curious twists. Perhaps a new comrade, or was the notion of comradery in a world shocked by the war a simple delusion. The desire for such, was it simply rosy retrospection? Often the Airontoku asked himself such questions and truly never arrived at an answer. Question build upon question, so little answers, yet, hope for a grander age had been rekindled shortly ago. Not all was lost. It was the beginning of a new time.
[/ul]

[bladesondeck]

"Well.. as you know it's not permitted to give village secrets away to strangers.. but since i'm not allied with Iwa i could careless". The Hyuuga let loose a Barrage of information on his former village, with disregard of the lives he very well put at risk. The wind howled, as though warning him of his grave mistake of his treatery, however he paused. "The kage.. he.. hasn't been too active, we recently got a new one, he mostly spends time locked away on the highest peak of the village so he's vunerable to attack. for the iwa nin, alot of them are migrating out and there pretty much at the same level i am. Attacking Iwa would be a waste of your time, it's so weak and little.. it's pityful. Aray stopped and took a breathe in to observe the strange young man who seems to have a troubled past and a dark future.

[tigaevo]

I was so close to make my way into the village throuugh one of my clans men but it seemed like he had to get on with his duty so he just pointed me in the direction of the leaf. I smiled to him and left him to handle his work for the noble village of the leaf. But i started my journey through the forest of the fire country it made me think i was one step closer to my goal of getting HOME I thought to my self. But as i was hopping from tree to tree I spotted someone. So I stopped and looked over to where i seen the body.

Once I got a chance to really look I noticed it was two people and not just one. My eyes got big again as i knew it was another chance to get lead to the leaf. But Before i went running I wanted to get a better look at the two Ninja standing there. I had to size them up to make sure if anything went down I could protect to my self. So i crept around about 10 meters away from being as silent as possible. Once I got at the right angle I could see one of them was Hyuuga but he had an Iwa head band on. I think i knew this kid I stared for a bit longer until It fianllly popped into my head "THATS ARAY." i said quietly to my self.

Now i knew i could come from out of hiding but i still had to be cautious because i did not know the situation that was at hand. So I jumped down from the tree I was standing and made my entrances from about 8 meters away. "Yo Aray wassup man." I said with the calmest tone of voice ever. "What you doing in these parts having no kage finally starting to get to you broski?" I said with aslight laugh. Then i looked over to the Leaf Shinobi and said "Hi to you to my Name is Bit Uchiha nice to meet you sir." I said showing a sign of respect towards the leaf ninja.

Now that the introductions was over all that was left to do was to wait on the leaf Shinobi to speak. I thought to my self hopefully it would go smooth as possible and this new Shinobi would take me to the village. Another thought that crossed my mind was the joy to see Aray up in the fire country.

[Katsumaru]

[/i] Touketsu muttered quietly, ,voice still a grow taking a hasty step back and partly removing the blade from the sheathe, the metal catching a slight glimmer of sun. His posture showed little antagonism, with slouched shoulders and a forward stance. The partial revealing of the blade served as a mere warning rather than a threat. Two comrades stood together; Touketsu faced them alone, shinobi of Iwagakure who have claimed abandonment of their village, but the training of a soldier, the suspiciousness and mistrust refuse to settle even when men seemed affable. Perhaps such paranoia was redundant, an idiosyncrasy triggered by a war long gone. Only several seconds passed before the blade was sheathed once again with the hand moving to rest loosely at the side.

Touketsu was not one to believe in fate as he was a man of action and believed that only the will to push forth places one into a grandiose position, allows them to surpass all expectations; and quite humorously so, he had never accomplished such, serving as a mere drone as the days passed by. A day turned into a weeks, and weeks into months; months of foolish inactivity and passivity, without purpose, without a true destination. In spite of those believes, the rigid opposition towards fate, on this day the Airontoku slightly leaned towards existence of a lady of fortune, a goddess of luck. After all, three men with blessed bloods met beneath the trees, their goals uniform, to no longer be shackled in bounds, or so he guessed. Touketsu was not entirely certain of their motivation, hence it was a mere prediction.

His crimson eyes met the Uchiha’s gaze, teeth gritted, the tensing of the facial musculature revealing the two scars on the left cheek in full. The right index finger pointed first at Aray and then at Styx, the calloused skin revealed in full under the light. ”I will restate my proposition then. You two tell me all that you know of Iwagakure on the return, details, anything of use. Additionally, you will not only work under the Kage, but me. I have greater motivations, not simply to sit in idle anymore. On this day I understood that my purpose is…greater.” No more was his voice a growl when he spoke, but it had grown sturdy and mighty, the confidence of the iron hide soldier revealed in full with the deepening of pitch and the straightening of his posture. “You will not serve as a slave serves a master, but as a soldier serves to a man higher in command. As warriors. As men who face all challenges. Accept, and I will lead you to Konohagakure. But I cannot ensure your safety once we reach the gates.”

He returned to silence while awaiting the reply, the right hand falling to the side with a clenched fist. He had been without much aid in Konohagakure, and the time had come to change that. The world must change, transcend from the cursed state she had been left in after the war.
[/ul]

[tigaevo]

OCC: Im not bout to stay in this thread lol.

This guy had to be kidding me I thought to my self as he addressed me as if i was under him. Taking orders from anyone that is not of higher rank then me or and elder in a clan was just against more Morales. I laughed a little on the inside when he said this and held his stern face as if I was going to actual go along with this. I looked to Aray then i looked back at the leaf ninja .

"No disrespect to anything your about sir but I wont be traveling along with you and Aray bro. I said while I held a smile on my face so he would not expect me to to attack him in anyway. "Ill fine my way there sir good luck to you and Aray. Then With a couple of flashes I was away from the area.

SPOILER: Click to show

Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)x4
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu / High-Speed Movement
Range: 0 - 10 meters
Chakra: Low
Special: Flickering is near-instantaneous forward movement, meaning the user will rush almost instantly to wherever they are facing as chakra pushes their legs to inhumane levels. The user can flicker once per thread, plus once more each time retrained. One cannot attack or perform techniques during Shunshin.
Description: Shunshin no Jutsu is a basic ninjutsu technique used across the shinobi world by all, ranging from the most basic shinobi to the legends of lore. Considered is a high-speed movement technique, it allows a ninja to move short to long distances at an almost untraceable speed - to an observer, it appears as if the user has teleported. Such a feat is accomplished by using chakra to temporarily vitalise the body and move at extreme speeds they would otherwise be unable to reproduce. In the end, the user will appear and disappear in an instant, allowing them to retreat or attack suddenly should they need it. To facilitate the movement the ninja will often use nearby elements such as mist, sand or leaves to mask their appearance or disappearance.
Domain: Shunshin - Universal Ninjutsu.

[bladesondeck]

"Well, Touketsu, don't take this the wrong way but I do agree with my bro Bit on the whole 'indentured servant' thing, I don't intend to carryout people's biddings escpecially to people whom I just met. Maybe in time, when I learn to trust you, I may consider that offer". Aray paused and gazed the young mans reaction as thouugh perplexed and hesitant on how Touketsu might react to the disagreement.
"But I'll glady be your friend" Aray squacked softly, "ehh. hehe like i said dont take it the wrong way, all I really want is to just get to these gates".

[Katsumaru]

[/i] he uttered, tilting his head slightly as his right hand pointed forward, index finger extended towards Aray. “It seems as if you have misinterpreted my offer, completely. There was no mention of indentured servants – a soldier is no indentured servant, but a warrior at all, a man willing to shed his blood for the greater cause.” Touketsu pointed towards the two scars on his left cheek. ”It is the duty of a man to serve.” His hand dropped again as he pointed into the distance.

”I have made my offer clear, and now that you have refused, be gone. Find the village alone. I will not risk revealing the gates to a possible foe without benefit to myself. Unless of course you have something other to offer. Speak now or leave.” Touketsu was not merely a man of honor, but one of propositions. It is foolish to simply aid –anyone- without benefit to oneself, as villages, nay, the very world had been founded on proposals. So was the fuel of comradery, not simply friendship or even a grim acceptance, but mutual benefits. With a heavy sigh his gaze shifted upwards again, meeting Aray’s white eyes.

[/ul]

[bladesondeck]

Damn, this guys not budging is he.. oh well, what do I have to lose, it's a partnership not a lifetime commitment... If anything goes bad i can always ask politely to leave Aray thought. His preemptive and useless maelstrom of 'what-if's' engulfed him with flauntless possibilites, all focused at the nucleus of one question, what is Touketsu's TRUE proposition. It can't just be a mear joining of two people in unison to go bake bread or some frilly task. Before Aray lost Touketsu's attention, he captivated him with a notion of change before sure-stepping into the dark world one word would engulf him in. "after a few seconds of some quick thinking, I will..... I will co operate WITH YOU, not work under you, even though you are telling me what i should and shouldn't do, we are equals... If you can't atleast except that, Dissmiss me now..". He paused to invest in his reaction, awaiting his reaction.

[Katsumaru]

[/color][/i] Upon throwing that crude retort the Airontoku fell silent, his breath heavy and eyes narrowed. The suggestion that the two are equal quite visibly filled Touketsu with fury, but the growing anger triggered little else aside from the slur.

He turned on his heels, hand slipping to the hilt of his blade again. In this position he was vulnerable to the Hyuuga, but it mattered not as Aray seemed to have little intent to cause harm. Again he spoke, the voice lacking the sharpness espied but moments ago,”But I will give you an opportunity. I will lead you to the village. Should you be allowed in, become a shinobi of Konohagakure, and abandon it as you have your previous village, then I will hunt you down. I will cease until I have found you.” he roared, turning his head to reveal gritted teeth and tensed cheeks. ”I only give you the opportunity because in these grim times we require support.”

The Airontoku began to walk, motioning for the Hyuuga to follow, his step hasty. In a rather bizarre change of heart, Touketsu had chosen to show the man the way; ultimately he would find it with a solitary search, but preferably, he rather have Aray owe a debt. None but fate itself know what the future holds, and when that aid is needed.
[/ul]

[bladesondeck]

Aray followed, feeling belittled as a baby getting scolded by his mother, he relucantly followed in silence. He replayed the words "NOT EQUALS" in his head 1000 times and 1000 times over... He spoke with the smallest most cowardly voice "I won't abandon the village.. Promise" as he trekked along with Touketsu and Airontoku.

[Katsumaru]

[/color][/i]

As Touketsu stepped out into an open grove the sun burst onto the ground, the beams less mighty than before as she had begun to set, sinking behind the clouds, gradually from vision. With the approaching night, the temperature dropped, the winds growing fiercer and colder, sending a visible shiver down Touketsu’s spine. The temperature was, by all means, entirely bearable, yet the creeping cold brought discomfort onto him. Irritation only grew as he hastened his step; Touketsu memorized the path to the gate, as expected for a shinobi of Konohagakure, and closer it came, the further walk less than ten minutes. ”We are close. Do not draw your weapons, show no signs of hostility. I cannot guarantee how the guards will react.[/color]

The calls of birds came to an almost complete halt as the nightly hunters made their way across the grass, their fangs eager to dig into the flesh of whatever prey they find. The silent steps and breathing of predators sung quietly, muffled by the winds, their every purpose guided by the prime, instinctual desire to survive. That separate men from beast; men could accomplish greater, men could reason, a trait unmatched by the creatures scrounging for food. In that Touketsu felt pride; he was no more significant than any other man, but he was superior to the beasts that called the wilds their home.

The Airontoku arrived at the gates, the majestic structure serving as a warning and am exemplar of grandiosity. Steadily the man approached the gate, turning his head to see if Aray was still behind him. ”Walk to the gates. I will be behind you.”[/color] Touketsu explained, his calloused hand pointing ahead. With folded arms, he awaited the reaction.

[Exit]
[/ul]