The Seed - Prologue [p]

[Akihiko]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, padding: 10px; width: 500px, bTable][cs=2][style=background-color: #fff; width: 490px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color: #494949; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: #f1f1f1 1px 1px 2px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: right;]Prologue[/style][style=background-color: #494949; width: 490px; height: 25px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #fff; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -1px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-shadow: #333333 1px 1px 2px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 5px;]WINGS OF SPACE. INFINITE NIGHT..[/style][/style]

[atrb=style, width: 350px;][style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; line-height: 12px;] [style=background-color: #494949; padding: 2px; height: 155px; width: 350px; opacity: 0.8; margin-right: 5px; float: left;][/style] Have you ever seen someone, that looked so alone... So lavishly isolated, and wondered what it was that lead them to a hermit lifestyle? A tainted soul, plagued by self doubt and remorse. A morbid facade, comprised of a tarnished skull helmet and ebony cloaks. The broken fragment of skull, intriguing in the horn that spiraled upwards, was a memento of past achievement. A reminder, that even immortals faced death. Crushed beneath the full length of a large steel blade, the demon's crown crumbled. Demons, a deity of gods, who had fallen in devastation. The large steel slab still clung to the flesh of his back, strapped in leather belts, and coiled in strips of linen. His ascetic frame propped up against the brick barrier lining the backstreets of the town marketplace. Crouched slights, limbs rested on the caps of his knees and his raven mane hung effortlessly. But even with so much sorrow, he appealed to the rain. The fresh scent that lingered in the aftermath, and the numbing feel of cold water tapping along his flesh. Around him, the alleyway consisted of nothing more than a cobblestone path and a collection of trash. An elfish feline approached the shinobi with caution and curiosity, teeming with an unsatisfied interest. When it was close enough to touch him, it prodded him with the tip of it's nose, pressing further when no aggression was provoked. It maneuvered around his frame with a dull purr spewing from it's mouth. Kaito smiled halfheartedly, recognizing the compassion of the cat. It was a trait that never genuinely appeared in humans. Most were occupied by their own selfish intents for wealth and power. An ideal that seemed foolish to the complex mine of a kirigakure soldier. All his hopes and aspirations had been crushed in his genin trials, when his best friend died at his fingertips. It was the cruel blueprint of his village, to harbor a new league of shinobi that brought forth such animosity. By pinning the children against one another, they forced a prodigy to emerge from a select batch of shinobi. The rest were wasted, like crumpled paper. A pity to see all that man force go to waste, a life is a life, and each man possesses a talent. But death was all they would see. [/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=style, width: 140px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]TAGS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]that guy[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]WORDS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]386[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]NOTES[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]pm for invite[/style]

[style=font-family: courier new; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;]TEMPLATE BY JOHN OF OTE[/STYLE]

[The Dude]

A cool wind was blowing across the sea and over the island effectively blanketing Kirigakure no Sato in a shiver in unison. Ekitai had walked these streets many times for many reasons, but for the first time he could remember he had no reason or goal to meet as he strode slowly without direction. His brow was furrowed in silent contemplation about things that happened, current events in his life, and decisions he had yet to make. All these things were coming to a head that would force the young man to begin forging his own path in the world.

He had lived his whole life with a single purpose laid out before him, to protect and serve the royal family of Kirigakure no Sato without question. He was after all a protege from the Hozuki clan raised to serve the family from birth, and as a gifted member it also soon became his curse dedicating him to the service of another family before he knew of choice. Held back and exiled from the standard shinobi he barely attended the academy much less went on missions with other ninja until of course this month. This month he had been given leave to take a vacation and during his alleged vacation found himself called to arms in service to the war machine that was Kirigakure no Sato. During his time spent on missions with young genin, he found himself developing a fondness for the lifestyle the lead as well as the interaction between comrades. It was a much different relationship than servitude. But this feeling would soon pass and he would have to return to the way his life had been before serving the royal family. A simple and easy life that had great potential to pay off what little work was required and ensure his own rise into a higher social class among the nobles of Kirigakure no Sato in time. The only other option available to him, was to attend the chuunin exams he had been nominated for this year. If he accepted and went on to be promoted as a ninja the village would be far more eager to call him away from the royal family and demand his service. Dividing his goals would make it nearly impossible to rise in the social ladder of Kirigakure as a ninja as well.

In truth he enjoyed the teamwork and ninja he had worked with as well as the idea of more challenging assignments to take them on. It was always something new to do, and he had in fact already made up his mind to attend the Chuunin exams this year. His intentions were to escort some of the young kiri shinobi and aid them in the test in order to protect as many of his new young friends as he could. He had no doubt in his capabilities at all and knew he would pass with ease if he put forth the effort, but what he had yet to decide was whether or not he wanted to pass. Part of him knew his life would be easier for simply throwing his chances away and allowing some of the younger shinobi to surpass him in rank and move up the ladder.

Lost in thought and direction he turned a corner sharply before he saw a pale young man wearing a skull mask helmet. Pale features only helped to bring out the teal tinge in his eyes that stood out noticeably against the rest of the man. Kaito Hanahasu. Strangely enough, he had been one of Kirigakure's latest shinobi to pass the Chuunin exams himself. Ekitai watched him for a moment with a weak smile upon his lips looking down upon a cat that encircled him rubbing up against him. This man was the cold blooded killer Ekitai had heard rumors of during last years Chunnin exams?

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[Akihiko]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, padding: 10px; width: 500px, bTable][cs=2][style=background-color: #fff; width: 490px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color: #494949; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: #f1f1f1 1px 1px 2px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: right;]Prologue[/style][style=background-color: #494949; width: 490px; height: 25px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #fff; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -1px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-shadow: #333333 1px 1px 2px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 5px;]WINGS OF SPACE. INFINITE NIGHT..[/style][/style]

[atrb=style, width: 350px;][style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; line-height: 12px;] [style=background-color: #494949; padding: 2px; height: 155px; width: 350px; opacity: 0.8; margin-right: 5px; float: left;][/style] It was true, his attendance in the previous Chuunin Exams had crowned him with prestigious rank. But the peril that interrupted his tests, had been a result of kirigakures assault upon Bakudon Gai, a forceful blow testing the power of the Iwagakure resistance. Outnumbered and unprepared, iwagakure experienced the bitter taste of defeat. Shinobi caught in the altercation had been reduced to rotting flesh, blood spilling from the hands of Hanahasu Kaito himself. For his large blade ran through the flesh of a fellow shinobi, and robbed him of both life and pride. He had died so easily, and his comrade used his death as a quick means of escape. How pathetic, true camaraderie never allowed such a tragic death nor a shameful retreat. But alas, loyalty is only present as long as it is beneficial. The sick conclusion to a world built on trust. Kaito's isolation had been dully interrupted, another nameless genin of the village accidentally crossing paths with kirigakure's prodigy. His gazed shifted up, and his head cocked to the side. Quietly, like the calm before a storm, his frame rose into stance. Eyes narrowing upon his fellow shinobi, an after image was left in his wake. A eight meter distance between the two was closed immediately, leaving Ekitai's rear flank vulnerable. "You tread in dangerous waters," he mused, flush digits coiling around the hilt of his blade. Crouched behind the kiri nin, the pommel of his large sword dug into his constituents lower-back. He could likely feel the steel bulb pressing into his spine. An interesting situation had been presented. [/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=style, width: 140px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]TAGS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]that guy[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]WORDS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]---[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]NOTES[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]pm for invite[/style]

[style=font-family: courier new; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;]TEMPLATE BY JOHN OF OTE[/STYLE]

[The Dude]

Without provocation or any reason to be expected Kaito moved, and he moved fast! So fast Ekitai could have swore he hadn't moved at all if not for the feeling of the pommel against his spine and the image of Kaito before him fading. His eyes widened in surprise but his lips curled with childish delight as he spoke quietly with care to avoid moving unnecessary muscles, "Oh don't you know? I am the dangerous waters, and you would do well not to tread on me lest you get sucked down to the depths!" Ekitai's arms suddenly snapped backwards as if to hug Kaito despite the consequences of the massive blade that was so menacingly displaced towards his spine. As his arms swung back ninja wires were cast backwards in opposite arches towards each other to entrap the swordsman.

Without hesitation Ekitai would give a sudden jerk to the wires after they had been cast that would tighten and cinch them tight against whatever they caught. While the wires were quick and hard to see they were far from the greatest weapons, they could be cut, they could be avoided, and with the proper placement of metals or stone they would not be able to slice clean and swift as they were intended too. Ekitai knew all this but he expected and in fact hoped the man would take the simple option and run him through the back, it was hard to tell if he would since all the Genin had to go on was his reputation and his deeds. From what Ekitai had heard, this ninja was more than likely to cut down an ally that got in his way, he could only hope the rumors didn't disappoint.

Ekitai did not do well with threats, orders, or commands from strangers. There was only one family that had the will to treat him as such and this man was not among them as far as he knew. Ekitai had retorted with a brief introduction of his own now, and these opening statements of words and violence between the two would serve as the strongest and truest first impressions there could be.

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[Akihiko]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, padding: 10px; width: 500px, bTable][cs=2][style=background-color: #fff; width: 490px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color: #494949; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: #f1f1f1 1px 1px 2px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: right;]Prologue[/style][style=background-color: #494949; width: 490px; height: 25px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #fff; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -1px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-shadow: #333333 1px 1px 2px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 5px;]WINGS OF SPACE. INFINITE NIGHT..[/style][/style]

[atrb=style, width: 350px;][style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; line-height: 12px;] [style=background-color: #494949; padding: 2px; height: 155px; width: 350px; opacity: 0.8; margin-right: 5px; float: left;][/style] Hmph. The margin between their skill was blurred, but at the moment Kaito possessed the upper hand. Crouched against the ground, with his broadsword strapped to his back, he had begun to unsheathe it. Sliding it forward slightly, only enough to press the pommel into the spinal chord of the approaching kirigakure shinobi. The steel slab shielded his back, in spite of fatal positioning. Straps loosened quickly around the at the touch of his off-hand and the steel became exposed to gloomy daylight, albeit through clouds and rain. Tightened wires broke on the sharp edge of his blade, but that was not all that his actions provoked. In blinding movements, his hand shot forth in attempts to clutch the wrist of his associate. The left hand to be specific, but with his back exposed to a powerful blade and a vast arsenal of other approaches, it was best not to resist. Ivory digits curled around the wrist, in order to position the extremity in the upper part of his spinal chord. A position which stemmed the sharp pain that followed in the shoulder. There are two basic elements to life, or motivating factors so to speak: pain and pleasure. Seeing as pain was currently housed within the shinobi's shoulder, Kaito used the leverage to control his friend's body to the ground. In one fell swoop, his right leg crossed out and around Ekitai's towering frame, slamming him to the wet stone floor with a simple trip and proper positioning with an iron-like grip on his wrist. Once detained to a prone position, he'd mount the back of his underling, contorting his wrist in such a way the an unimaginable level of pain thrived in his shoulder and wrist. The whole limb was practically immobile at this point, and his body as a result of dominating weight and peak levels of pain. Leaning in closer than before, he pressed his right forearm over the back of the shinobi's neck, securing it to the ground. Thin rose lips parted, curving into a grin of sorts, albeit it only an instant. "I need a genin to stick around me for awhile. I know where your true responsibilities lay, however, I'm offering you the chance to be plucked from those for the time being," He'd allow his offer to sink in. What shinobi wished to forever offer his servitude to the likes of a royal family, built on nothing but wealth. It was the power of those indentured who kept the royal family alive, anyone could see that when they opened their eyes just a little. This was an opportunity, to escape that realm, and put his ability to good use. "Become my subordinate. No, my accomplice. I will take you places, more than slavery ever could," he mused. As his last words rang out, he stood, releasing the shinobi all at once. Any anger or self defense he had felt gone. And now, he was left with a question. Accompany the chuunin, or be forced to give service to the royal family. [/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=style, width: 140px; padding: 5px;][style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]TAGS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]that guy[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]WORDS[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]#509[/style] [style=font-family: arial; color: #494949; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -2px; text-align: left; border-bottom: 2px solid #494949; font-weight: bold;]NOTES[/style] [style=font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; color: #494949; text-align: justify; margin-left: 10px;]pm for invite[/style]

[style=font-family: courier new; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;]TEMPLATE BY JOHN OF OTE[/STYLE]

[The Dude]

A cute trick this shinobi played at but Ekitai had a few tricks of his own, his arm was twisted around his back and as the man's swept across his frame to trip him it would merely strike against water that allowed foot to pass through. Ekitai had liquefied his legs and arm that had been held and slipped the grip and trip motion quickly turning and with a roll of his wrists extending hidden blades from his wrists. His left wrist blade was perhaps two inches away from the man's throat and his right bladed was poised a few mere inches from the area Ekitai presumed held his heart.

He too now smiled back at the higher ranked shinobi before speaking gently, "Do not mistake my ideals sir, loyalty is bred within me to my very core. I am forever bound to the royal family until such a time as the deem me relinquished from their service, but for the time they seem to have no need of me so I will consider your offer." His blades sprung back into his sleeves with a silent slip and reaching into his vest he withdrew a pack of cigarettes casually setting one of them to his lips and lighting it with a light blue lighter. As he spoke again he spoke out the side of his mouth passing the smoke off to the side so as not to blow it in this man's face. "My service is not something I take likely, sir, and you have a reputation. Hmmm, perhaps a trial? I am eager for the chance at seeing the true grit our shinobi are capable of but I am not ready to commit just yet.

He turned on his heels looking thoughtfully upwards at the sky as he considered the offer to follow and serve this shinobi and what it could mean for him and his future. Perhaps he was worth the chance perhaps not, but there was only one way to gauge him and see how he suited Ekitai for a leader and partner. He took a deep exhale gazing at the moon before again speaking in clouds of smoke that blew into the open air above, "I've got a little more time until I'm called back to serve and protect the royal family but the choice is ultimately up to me if I return. If I recruit as a standard shinobi of Kirigakure and take on more responsibility I will be free form the responsibilities of my pledge to the family..." he looked down at the ground solemnly, "well, not free. Postponed we'll call it, but ultimately it means I can work with you indefinitely." He turned to the Kaito and gave his cigarette a gently flick of his thumb to discard the excess ash on the end, "So here's my offer. I will follow you for now, and you have until the family calls me back to convince me you are worth following even after that. Show me what it means to work and live as a ninja, and I will serve you faithfully."

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[The Dude]

Time passed and still this man did not give his reply, in fact he just stood there looking dumb or dumbfounded Ekitai wasn't sure which one it was but it didn't matter. He had waited long enough and there was some level of hesitation behind this boy and it was an undesirable quality in a leader. Ekitai didn't need to express himself any further, he had made his one time offer and the time was past now. He had nothing more to say to this gentleman and so merely turned and left not even bothering to glance over his shoulder at the man. He was no leader, he was hardly a soldier and posed absolutely no threat to the Hozuki even with his back turned. All bark and no bite.

//exit t('.'t)

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