The Eleventh Hour [℗;Yuuza]

[Petrikov]

A song would echo throughout the night- its harmonious melody reverberating throughout water-ridden grasslands and small outcrops of rock. The moon was full tonight, and in the distance a young shepherd would begin to set-up a cozy campfire- his presence surrounded by multiple, baaing sheep.

♪ How lucky can one guy be?
I kissed her, and she kissed me,
Like a fella once said,
Ain'ttt that a kick in the headdd? ♪

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The eye-patched ninja would continue to chant his ballad as he gathered all the sticks he'd garnered during his travels and lit the flame. Scanning the starry sky with his exposed emerald green eye, the Airontoku would smile- taking a brief pause from his late night chanty. The eleventh hour was arriving, the constellation of the Taurus hung high in the dark firmament. Fate was occupied with mysterious things, during the dark hours.

♪ The room was completely black,
I hugged her and she hugged back,
Like the saillor said quote,
"Ain'ttt that a hole in a boooat?" ♪

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With the flame ignited, the young man would sit down and extend his exposed palms towards the source of warmth. Life had been uneventful, as of recent. His travels dull and boring, with his only companions being the herd of sheep he traveled with on a constant basis. A sigh would escape the Airontoku's lips. Was there not more to see? Things to do? Things that mattered? He simply wanted to have some fun once in a while. And tonight was no exception. But, as always, he'd sing his troubles away with a ballad and spend the rest of the night thinking about other things.[/font][/justify][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Messatsu!]

"Hm Whats this?"

"I-it looks like smoke, a campfire?

Empurpled fires spilled helplessly as they radiated with burning desires like a wolf's through the sheets of night. He flickered through the tree's as a black blur, leaving purple, residual beams of light, hinting at movements he once made. Bough upon bough he prowled, following the trees that danced with a magical blaze as bodies of smoke billowed into the atmosphere.

The perpetual obscuring mist of Mizu no kuni seemed far difficult to navigate in when coupled with the starvation of sunlight, but the burning fires and smoke was enough to make out the pocket of land in which the fire burned.

"What do we do when we get there?"

"We need a place to sleep so hopefully of all goes well we will have a place of rest, if not, blood will be extracted"

As he reached the pocket of earth, he stepped forth from the darkness and into the rustic orange and red hues of the flame. His movement was foreshadowed by the snapping of a twig and the sound of an unfamiliar voice.

"Hello there...", Yuuza spoke, presenting himself in the most docile way he could, he seated himself opposite of the man afront. Though his presence was abrupt and blunt, he was never one to initiate combat if not provoked, but if the man before him hostilely denies his presence, combat would surely ensue. Something caught his attention through the flicker hues of fire, the mans head band, tattered and crossed out. Nuke-nin?! and Odd find.

"...Do not mind me, I come in peace. Hopefully I am not intruding, I saw the fire from afar and needed a place to rest from my travels, you don't mind do you?".

[Petrikov]

The sound of a snapping twig reverberated through the air like a streak of sharp thunder, breaking the Airontoku's train of thought. His emerald green optic gazed over to the thick darkness across the lit flame, as a figure appeared from the shadows. Purple eyes glinted with the fire light, as the strange man greeted the young shepherd and took a seat. Such a random encounter, catching the eye-patched male thoroughly off guard.

Greetings.

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The young man would reply, distractedly jostling the sticks within the flame with a moss-covered branch. If he had been ten years younger, he might have just been afraid. But somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he was far more excited than frightened. This strange occurrence had played itself out in the most suspicious of ways. Fate was stirring within the atmosphere. And the entire event had granted him a new and refreshing change of pace. He listened with regard as the man inquired on whether the Airontoku was comfortable with his presence or not. To which the eye-patched male would solemnly shake his head.

Not at all. Make yourself at home.

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He'd smile, gesturing towards the vast expanse that surrounded them. For a moment, their short introductions were followed by an awkward silence, broken only by the baaing of Hei's sheep and a whistling breeze that swept by. The dark sky gleamed with the shower of stars above. The fire stirred. It was then that the nuke-nin bothered to look up into the flame and at the stranger sitting across. Catching something of interest tied firmly around his forehead, he'd ask:

Nuke-nin... like me, huh? Quite interesting.

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[Messatsu!]

"Nuke-nin... like me, huh? Quite interesting."

Yuuza bade the man afront a simple nod as his body careened slightly to the side, slipping the strap from his gourd from around his shoulder, gently setting it in a bed a grass like a parent would its child.

"Indeed I am unfortunately. So, if I may, why brings you here to the land of water?"

His hand of right uplifted, pushing up his steel face mask, revealing his once obscured face to the man before him, taking a quick gasp for fresh air through his nostrils. Exhaling from his mouth with an exhaustive sigh, his eyelids haplessly shut themselves as he spoke with the same tone as before.

"Excuse me if I come off as rude but being nuke-nin and all, its rare to be able to sit down and civilly talk to fellow shinobi."

His words were true, for all nuke-nin shattered the bonds they once held with their village in exchange for freedom regardless of the reason. Yuuza knew well of this logic, it practically changed his outlook upon life as a shinobi in its entirety. Nonetheless he and this man had something in common, the healthy desire to be free.

[Petrikov]

After setting down what was apparently a water-filled gourd, based on the sloshing sound that resonated once it touched ground, the stranger would inquire as to why Hei was here. In the Country of Water. And, to be honest, the Airontoku didn't have an honest reason why. He'd been wandering around for so long that everything he passed and saw became indistinguishable.

Green pastures, mostly. For my sheep.

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He'd answer, gesturing towards his flock with a slight toss of his head. A smile constantly rested lightly on his features, and he watched with mild interest as the nuke-nin removed a steel mask and sighed. He excused himself shortly afterwards, expressing his wonder on whether he came off as rude to the eye-patched male or not. Hei would listen to his words solemnly, and continue to prod the fire with his moss-covered stick.

Same as it ever was. *chuckle* Ninja nowadays... village ninja- always starting shit senselessly. It's a shame, really. The things one could learn just by sitting across from another warrior, hm?

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He would pause to look up at the expanse of night sky above, glancing at them from behind the green contact shielding his exposed eye. He wondered whether he should take it off. After all, the stranger he was currently talking to had a unique eye color as well. Would the Airontoku's blood red pupils surprise him at all? Filing away that idea for later, he would continue with his dialogue. Turning his gaze back towards the nuke-nin from Takigakure. A smile across the firelight.

The name's Hei, by the way. Hei Burabiya.

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[Messatsu!]

The bonfire of peace and equality danced with his magical blaze, aimlessly attacking the opening of air, starving it of breath. The conflagration of rustic flames hammered the forefronts of Yuuza's body, enveloping him within a sheet a peaceful fires. Though rare, it was times like these, moments like these that mad the world, even with all its chaos and madness...all the more bearable.

"Same as it ever was. *chuckle* Ninja nowadays... village ninja- always starting shit senselessly. It's a shame, really. The things one could learn just by sitting across from another warrior, hm?"

Slowly Yuuza's lids uplifted from his half-closed, lazy gaze as the man spoke. His words were true, village ninja were always shit starters, sparking wars from the most simplest things from a petty disagreement to ninja who lacked the capacity to properly control themselves. But was Yuuza really one to judge, because one could have argued whether or not his own actions were justifiable and the fact that he too lacked the capacity to control himself in regards to his family.

"The name's Hei, by the way. Hei Burabiya."

And so the darkness stirred, yet, something as different.

"Hei Huh? Thats a pretty nice name don't you think"

"Yeah, I guess it kind of is."

"Heh you seem more peaceful then ever"

Indeed, something about the subconscious that laid within was different, this time upon rearing its hear, its vengeful taint could not be sensed. It was absent from plain view. Perhaps it was the peacefulness that melted above the two nuke-ninja that brought about a sense of total calm within Yuuza's mind.

"Kenshiro, Yuuza, Kenshiro. I myself have come to mizu no kuni to search for a lost relic my grandfather once wielded. So Hei, you must be quite confident if your skills to have lit a fire that is so easily seen from inside the darkness of night."

[Petrikov]

A relic? The Airontoku mused. He hadn't known this country contained such things. As far as he had traveled within it- over rolling hills, large lakes and flowing rivers- he had never really seen any sign of civilization. Just wet and damp wildlife, as far as the eye could see. But to hear of this relic... it sparked a long lost sense of adventure and excitement in the shepherd's heart. Perhaps, one day, he could go quest for one himself. A single brow would arch optimistically when Yuuza mentioned the prospect of him being overconfident.

I try to remain elusive when I can. But this landscape offers little to no shelter. And it's far too cold at night.

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He'd grin, propping his hands on the ground behind him and leaning back. He wondered how the temperatures between each of them differed. An Airontoku and a seemingly normal ninja. He imagined the latter felt the winds a little more frigidly than the other. But was content with the fact that the two of them could each garner the benefits of the lit flame. The oldest form of housing. A place of story-telling and rest.

So... you're searching for your grandfather's relic here, hm? Are you originally from these lands? That would kind of explain the gourd.

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Smiling, he'd turn to keep an eye on his flock real quick. Ensuring none of them strayed too far. But to his mild surprise, a majority of his sheep had already huddled together and fallen to the ground asleep. They must be relaxed. He mused, arching an eyebrow at the sight. How strange. Only yesterday, they had been as twitchy and nervous as they normally were. And their incessant baaing had kept him up the previous night. But for now, as the eleventh hour finally struck, they were relatively calm and quiet. He pondered the reason why.
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[Messatsu!]

"I try to remain elusive when I can. But this landscape offers little to no shelter. And it's far too cold at night."

Yuuza's leg formation momentarily shifted, bending one inwardly and the other fully outstretched upon the earthen floor. his body leaned forward, resting his crossed arms upon said knee and soon his chin above his arms. Hei's words danced with the whispering winds, crawling over the fire and into his ears. It was true, mizu no kuni not only bore unending bodies of mist but its nights were cold, almost rivaling Tetsu no kuni give or take a few degrees.

"So... you're searching for your grandfather's relic here, hm? Are you originally from these lands? That would kind of explain the gourd."

He shook his in response to Hei's inquiry regarding Yuuza homeland, but he was close. Though it had not been his birth country, it was the country his grandfather died in, also leaving behind the Yuuza clans most prized weapon. A simple tapping of his crossed Takigakure headband would give hint to his true origins.

"Takigakure born and raised. My grandfather migrated here to Mizu no kuni before the war. So I thought I'd search for our families relic, paying my respects to him all the while....Ah I almost forgotten. Perhaps your hungry?"

Yuuza reached into one of his free packs, retrieving freshly wrapped snake meats and venison. With a few prepared sticks he fed the fire while using the remains to suspend the raw foods above the fire.

"A mans gotta eat right? Haha...from the looks of it your from amegakure?"

[Petrikov]

A sharp clink would resound through the frigid air when Yuuza tapped his marked off headband. He had not only been a ninja from Takigakure, it seemed, but a native born as well. Which should not have surprised Hei, really. But he had a tendency to assume those from smaller villages had migrated there from larger countries. He had been an immigrant himself, during his childhood. It was then that the man posed a light-hearted question. Was he hungry? Hell yes! But he would mind his manners.

I'll partake in a bite or two, if you're offering.

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He watched as the nuke-nin from Takigakure steadily unwrapped his packaged rations. Goods garnered from his previous travels, most likely. The manner in which he prepared the adequate form of cooking utensil to hang the meats over the fire, it spoke of his experience as a battle-hardened ninja. After all, that was ninja academy 101, wasn't it? Surviving in the wilderness and tending to one's self. Though the ninja's offer to share such precious food showed a different alternative to the lesson.

It was there that nuke-nin differed from others. Because, when it came down to it, they were all just human. But to the village ninja, the simple act of sharing sustenance between one from another country was unfeasible. Bonkers. The thought widened his smile a few inches as he listened to Yuuza's conveniently asked question.

Yup. That's where I lived last. Amegakure- where the god's weep. Pfft. I'm originally from Kaminari, however. I have family there... but we haven't spoken since before the war. I'm not even sure if they're still alive...

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His voice would trail off into a mumble, as his emerald green optic stared deep into the heart of the flame. His family. It was the only link in his past that still held an emotional grip on him. It was only when the fire snapped that he was lifted from his temporary sedation. The smell of cooked meat hung thick in the air now, carried by the fresh winds that drifted through these lands. If he had the ability to do so, his ears would be pricked up in interest right now. Looking up towards Yuuza with his customary smile. The venison was cooking nicely.
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[Messatsu!]

ooc:Sorry if the post seemed like crap

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"Yup. That's where I lived last. Amegakure- where the god's weep. Pfft. I'm originally from Kaminari, however. I have family there... but we haven't spoken since before the war. I'm not even sure if they're still alive..."

Yuuza's eyes laid dormant upon Hei's figure from a good pace, his expression dared not change as the shinobi before him spoke of his origins and birthright. With a strong pull of air, Yuuza's nostrils opened to take in a quick breath frigid winds and mouth watering scents of venison as Hei continued to speak. And then, he spoke of the one thing that Yuuza thought was more precious then anything in all the worlds, family.

Family, to Yuuza, was impossible to replace, impossible to get rid of, and impossible to hate; he considered it one of most prized possessions one could have obtained at birth. He felt that no material item could have ever exceeded the value that ones own family holds, and truth be told what could. The quest he was on to find his families relic was evidence to his beliefs, trying to find the very blade forged from Poseidon's water that would grant Yuuza the power to save his terminally ill sister.

"Not sure eh? Well, I'm more then sure they are. Not only are kaminari's military force powerful but I'm sure your family is alive and well. Though I might not be in position to say so but, I have a feeling that they won't let their bond with you be severed so easily just as you would for them."

A sense sense of seriousness and compassion hid beneath his tone as he began twisting and spinning the venison and meats upon the sticks. The scent of nearly complete meats billowed into the air, sending a downpour of heavenly bliss upon the surrounding area.

[Petrikov]

*sigh* I hope the words you speak ring true. We had some rough times during the war. I wouldn't mind clearing up a few things with them-- if given the chance.

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The Airontoku smiled with his eyes, appreciative of the man's wisdom and culinary skills. But to be honest, he felt brutally rude just sitting there and watching him cook a meal he'd offered to share. It was then that he was reminded of his own supplies- nestled within the small messenger bag he'd been using as a pillow the last few nights. Pulling his body forward, to lift himself from his backwards lean and into a proper sitting position, he'd twist his body around and swipe the satchel from the ground, dusting it off a bit before reaching inside.

Hoping the act hadn't instilled some form of suspiciousness in the man sitting across from him, the eye-patched male would slowly withdraw a bottle. Its viridian green glass shimmered in the firelight. Its label read Vino, but in such a rustic and old timey font that it looked like a different word altogether. Popping the cork with a speed that could only have been gained through experience, Hei would lift the one liter bottle to his lips and knock back a small gulp- both to satisfy his own thirst, and to assure the ninja across from him that nothing had been poisoned before offering a drink.

Red wine, from the Land of Tea. Not too strong. But it has a pretty rich flavor. I wouldn't buy anything not worth buying.

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He'd grin, leaning slightly forward as he offered to pass the bottle- savoring the aftertaste of the beverage in the meanwhile. Then suddenly, a sound. Not any that indicated a human presence... yet. But the sound of one of his sheep stirring from its sleep and baaing as it sauntered over towards Hei. Had it noticed something, perhaps? His sheep had never had a tendency to alert him when he was being stalked in the night. But there were times. And during strange nights like these, the Airontoku had to assume it was possible.
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[Iizuka]

The sheep approached, giving off its faint cries as it came to stand next to its master. If sheep could appear worried, that's exactly what the creature would present. Not that the two had anything to worry about. That was, of course, until the snowy white wool of the beast erupted, black lines pouring forth from beneath the creatures wool and flooding onto the ground below. Some of the moving lines took to the skies, but despite where the entities went, they all converged on one thing, and one thing only.

The food!

The black masses rolled around both the wine bottle and the sticks that supported the food. Any remaining insects would create barriers between the two ninja and the food, and quickly and effortlessly the objects would be taken away. Not to mention that the insects would also swarm the two ninja, hoping to strike fear into them in order to more easily obtain the food. They wouldn't eat the chakra of the two men, but hundreds of insects would land upon their bodies, leaving only when the food was clearly gone.

[Messatsu!]

*sigh* I hope the words you speak ring true. We had some rough times during the war. I wouldn't mind clearing up a few things with them-- if given the chance.

A gentle chuckle found home within Yuuza's longs as the two continued to exchange words. But something seemed to click in Hei's head as he nearly jolted just to reach for his bag, but, despite this he felt no hostility from the man. His eyes unwillingly fell upon the bottle of time he retrieved, a fitting beverage it was, Yuuza couldn't complain.

"Red wine, from the Land of Tea. Not too strong. But it has a pretty rich flavor. I wouldn't buy anything not worth buying."

Yuuza in turn careened frontally to retrieve the bottle of wine for a drink of his own, however, the rich taste never had a chance as Yuuza cut his movement short. his senses remained wide open no matter the circumstances, no matter the scenario, he senses were nothing less then a sleepless beacon. The cooking flames crepitated and danced to a near tribal rhythm as the shell of peace and equality was shattered from the presence of another in the form the sheep's vexation. Sheep's were indeed docile creatures and fast acting to all things they deemed threats no matter its size or nature.

But the instant the sheep seemed to come to a calm Yuuza saw the black mass spring forth from its flesh, traveling in a failed attempt to hid themselves under the guise of calm showers of night. Yuuza had to give thanks to the magical blaze that billowed for showering the black mass as they stepped aimlessly into its hues and Yuuza's vision. Quickly he flipped to his feet whilst removing Suigai from its solitary prison, escaping the ambit of the black mass at hand. The food was nothing to cry over, for emergency reasons such as this, Yuuza carried instantly edible rations.

He pulled the mask over his face once more, but it was likely that the man afront already caught a glimpse of it through the orange and red lights. His empurpled eyes radiated and spilled with heat of chaos, birthing the residual rays once more.

"Show yourself!"

[Petrikov]

He hadn't noticed it at first, but as he reached over to pet his sheep with a single hand, what laid in the depths of its wool became quite clear. The realization struck him like lightning, as his fingers dipped into the raw fabric and returned with a slight itching sensation. There they were, the reason for the sheep's distress.

Agh! Bugs?! What the fuck?!

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The Airontoku had exclaimed, jumping to his feet in slight panic and attempting to rid himself of such nuisances. Unfortunately, his efforts to simply dust the bugs off had proven unsuccessful. With half a mind to throw himself into the fire, as his resistance to it as an Airontoku would protect him, Hei would drop down to a crouch and begin running his fingers through his hair. But just then, the bugs crawled off of him, and when he looked up, the venison that had been cooking had disappeared. They'd stolen the food. He nearly laughed.

When he straightened his posture, he would turn to find Yuuza with his mask on once more, holding an impressive blade. His purple optics stared into the darkness beyond. Then the nuke-nin would call out to whomever stalked them in the night, and Hei would follow suit. Narrowing his eye as he tried to perceive a figure in the shadows, the eye-patched male would smile. He was prepared for a fight, beside the former Takigakure ninja, and knew that if shit was about to go down then it would. Why not try to enjoy it in the meanwhile? It'd been so long since his adrenaline had been pumping like this. And it made him quite high!

You owe us a meal, y'know! Whoever you are.

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[Iizuka]

As the two rose to their feet, a playful laughter would fill the air. Suddenly, the floor would erupt with dust as the man came descending from the heavens, the bottle of wine held up to his lips. As he lowered it he would toss it gently to the man who held the sword, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. A small hiccup would ensue, and again his playful laughter. His stance lowered and he bent over at the back, bowing before the two men that stood, battle-ready, around the fire. As he came up, a great smile on his face, he finally spoke. "Iizuka. It's a pleasure to meet you gentlemen. I must thank you for the meal."

Turning now to face the one-eyed man, he again smiled, tilted his head slowly to one side, and said. "And I don't owe you jack shit!" The tone of his voice was happy, perhaps even mockingly so. He merely stood amongst them, his hands outstretched to shake hands with the two strangers. The eyes hidden behind the sunglasses he wore darted to and fro, examining the two men before him. He focused more so, however, on the man with the blade in hand, his eyes narrowing as the fire lit his face. Between the flickering flames he eventually caught on, his hands lowering as he turned to face him. "Don't I know you?"

Meanwhile, I rest in my place, hidden high above the trio upon my cloud. The sounds of the insects would be muffled by the commotion below, not to mention I was pretty high up. In my hand rest the meal, and I slowly took bites out of it as I watched the show going on below. It just so happened to be one of my favorite programs, Punk'd, Shinobi Version. In such times of peace, if it could be called that, I liked to enjoy myself. Occasionally at the expense of others, if it would amuse me. Now, regarding the events that occurred below, I waited for the commercial break to finish and for the story to unfold.

SPOILER: Click to show

Mushi Fuyuu (Insect Island Floating) [25]
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: See special!
Special: Range of bug island floating depends on their 'Kikaichuu' rank.
Description: With this ninjutsu, the user will bring together their kikai into cloud-shaped clumps, the size of these ‘islands’ depending on the size of the user. These clumps are dense enough for the user or another ninja to rest on. During quick, dangerous attacks, this can allow the user to rise above any threat from below.
Domain: Aburame. Must know 'Kikkaichuu D'.

Mushi Bunshin no Jutsu (Insect Clone Technique) [50]
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: Hand's reach.
Special: Clone defense depends on the user's highest 'Kikaichuu' rank. Up to one clone can be made per use, plus one more each time retrained. When struck physically, clone may disperse and reform easily, making them defeatable only by wide, area-of-effect attacks.
Description: Mushi Bunshin no Jutsu is as its name implies, an Aburame ninjutsu cloning technique that allows the clan member to create a clone out of their kikai. Using the destruction bugs living from within their body, the clan host calls on the bugs to form a bunshin copy of themselves inr order to trick their opponent. Effective for misdirection, but once damaged by an attack, the technique ends and the clone disperses back into the bugs which formed it.
Domain: Aburame. Must know 'Kikkaichuu C'.