★ quest: skies of winter savory. ( private )

[Hirihi]

Hirihi's blood was boiling. Here this man was, saying such slanderous things to the village she loved, and she had to stand and take it. He had the ability to melt the flesh from her bone, kill her without a single blink. He would have done it, too, as she was nothing to him. Biting her tongue, literally, Hirihi forced her eyes to the side and cleared her throat, a faint taste of copper filling her mouth from the drops of blood bubbling on her tongue. It was taking a lot of her willpower to keep herself composed with this man. As he would finish his statement about the village, Hirihi would turn back, seemingly a different person. Her very demeanor was different than that she had shown when she had begun the conversation. She seemed distant, unattached. Professional.

"Kumogakure no Sato has stayed afloat through many perils. While you remain hidden away, safe from those that might want to do you harm, we remain resolute where we stand. Strength comes from more than power, but from the decisions one makes. Such as my choice to look for survivors in the likelihood no one survived the snowstorm outside, I did it without fail. I wont' say power is without its place, but raw power without tact and intelligent usage is just power that consumes." She said. He'd likely heard the conversation before, but she didn't care. She was upset, and was forcing herself to remain professional, speaking her mind just enough to get the dark thoughts of killing him far from her mind.

As the conversation would seem to move on to other things, talking of the war and her being brainwashed, Hirihi merely shook her head. "My mind was not tampered with to show my allegiance to the village. I assume, though, you'd expect such a response from someone who was brainwashed." She said, thinking to his question of the Great War that she had only heard about. The stories were vague, all from the perspective of people who survived the war. She knew little of it, to be honest, but she would not tell him how clueless she was. "I have heard some accounts of what happened. With a war holding such a great magnitude, there are likely to be many stories to be told." Hirihi said.

She was almost... robotic. Most might have assumed she was being a smart ass, but she was merely being honest. She'd removed her emotions from the conversation. Her love for the village would get her nowhere in the conversations with this man. Instead, she would merely be resolute in controlling herself. "Do tell me, though, did you take part in the Great War?" Hirihi asked, curious to know yet another account. Maybe hearing his story might help her to reach him, get him to understand that she was not looking to fight him on his beliefs, but merely lend an ear to an elderly, lonely man for at least a bit longer.

[Estilo]

★ Chapter One - Garin "Sickle" Yagataki

The old man didn't take her words seriously, nor did he care to acknowledge them to any further extent. He simply grunted at the end of each sentence, paying no mind to her opinions, proving that he was a stubborn and pig-headed individual. Swaying him from his thoughts was difficult. And his stance on Kumogakure no Sato, despite the fact that Hirihi did not know, was iron-clad. The events that had transpired towards the end of the First Shinobi World War had ensured that.

My mind was not tampered with to show my allegiance to the village. I assume, though, you'd expect such a response from someone who was brainwashed. He barked out a laugh, slurping up the last of his soup, the fire crackling in front of them with life. He liked it when people tried to be smart about things. He loved seeing them squirm and struggle under his remarks and opinions- he was just that kind of man. In the past, the violence that the war had spawned slated his thirst for competition. But it had been so long since... to realize that this minor verbal debate was actually a bit exciting to him was somewhat surprising to the coot.

Do tell me, though, did you take part in the Great War? The geiser set his empty bowl of food aside, placing it beside the pot he sat on, a sharp 'clink' resounding throughout the cavern when the bottom hit the stone. And in the background, the dog remained. Skulking in the shadows, debating whether or not to approach the bowl for scraps, its bright pink tongue licking the edges of its gaping mouth. The old man raised a brow, unaware of the canine's stare, his dark eyes fixated on the flames as the corner of his lips shifted into a nonchalant curve. "Hft. I did. I was one of its generals."

His eyes shifted towards the pink-haired girl, his stare serious and unwavering. "I was one of Kumogakure's generals. One of the most experienced. And were it not for me and a few others, Kumogakure no Sato would have been destroyed far before the Great Flash sought to it. It was a violent time then, one I would imagine you will never have the honor of participating in." Yes, the old man- Garin 'Sickle' Yagataki- knew of the most recent skirmish in the shinobi world. But compared to the First Shinobi World War, it was nothing. No honor to be gained there.

[Hirihi]

The words that he spoke didn't seem to really hit her for a few moments. He was a... general? He had been one of the most experienced among the shinobi during the war of the past, and he was here. Did that make him a deserter? Should she be taking him in? COULD she even do such a thing with a man that could spit magma from his lips? All of these questions were pouring through her mind as she sat quietly, letting the rest of the conversation filter into her mind. She didn't have to perform her Kagura technique to know that he was telling the truth. Why would a man who resided in the quiet of a Kaminari cave, who was also able to spit magma, lie about something like this?

Brushing her hands over her cheeks, Hirihi looked away from him for a moment to turn to the dog, the mutt lounging about in the quiet background. He was not alone, truly alone, if you counted the dog. It was just the presence of another that probably helped him get by. Even now, she could understand how someone like him could feel, being as she lived alone herself. She was "gifted" with the kindness of people in a village that either genuinely cared, or had not found her utterly useless. The pessimistic thoughts of her own dark corner.

Now, with him silent, Hirihi found her opportunity to speak some of her own questions. "Since I am young, unaware of the wars of the past, tell me: What happened? You no longer are part of Kumogakure no Sato, so you have no obligation to hold secrets. Tell me what started it all. That is, if that memory of yours hasn't truly faded to dust." She said, grinning as she mildly teased him for his old age. Even if she could have been obliterated by him at a moments notice, Hirihi had a feeling that he would do no such thing. Even if he didn't believe in Kumogakure no Sato any longer, he did not care to become an enemy of the village. He was old, feeble, and she was a high ranking ninja. People would notice.

"Also, I... I have a favor to ask. If you would help me with something, I have a friend in the village. He has no memories before the Great Flash. I was curious if you might remember who he was." She asked, waiting to see if he would even grant her such a favor. Maybe, while she was here, she could learn a bit about Atlas. Anything to help him figure out his past. Though time had passed since they had seen each other, she still would wonder if he was doing alright.

[Estilo]

★ Chapter Two

Puzzle Pieces

Hirihi Rinji. How dare she mock his weathered age. But, in light of what Garin perceived as disrespect, the former general of Kumogakure no Sato brushed away the gesture with a snort. He would, instead, find himself answering her inquiry. "You want to know what happened? What do I look like? A history book?" The man gave a grunt in his disapproval. The topic was not as light-hearted to him as it would seem. And although he would never admit it, the girl had a point. Living in this damp cave for all the years that he had... it had changed him to a point. And he scarcely remembered those days- at least, in full, vivid detail.

"You'll never truly know what happened. Everyone has a different story. Kirigakure will tell you Kumogakure no Sato started the war, while Konohagakure will blame Sunagakure. Even then, before the flash that ravaged the land, every village had their fingers pointed at the other. Do I know exactly what event is responsible for it all? No. Nor do I care. I shed enough blood for Kumogakure no Sato to drown rivers with. Enough bodies to fuel the flames of Hell for decades."

Garin Yagataki had a nickname of the battlefield- "Sickle". And he had earned it through his actions and merciless display of combat. As if on the Grim Reaper's sprint, the general had proven to be the instrument of death to countless souls. Thereby dubbed, "Sickle". And Garin was proud of that. To him, strength and victory was all that mattered. Honor was gained in battle, honor was a trophy situated above pools of blood. And he had achieved it, long ago during the throes of that ultimate and wild war.

Her next question, more vague than the other, but a tad more interesting. Garin didn't personally know a lot of people during the peak of the First Shinobi World War, so he wasn't expecting to know who the pink-haired girl was speaking about. But, with his curiosity caught, he would still reply with a, "Does this friend have a name?" He wondered whether she was talking about someone important. Heihachi, perhaps? Or maybe Nadare. They had been famous generals he'd known, and people he'd mused about over his years in seclusion here in the mountains.

[Hirihi]

Her heart would fall a bit, feeling as if it dropped into her stomach as she heard his harsh words. So, he didn't want to recount his own story of the past. That was sad. Here he was, bragging about his glory, but he refused to recount the tales of it. She could have used the experiences that he told her about to progress her own experience. She'd learn to not make the mistakes he did, especially when it came down to the big ones. She had made one that she hoped none would ever have to experience, her run-in with that liquid girl in the exams. That was years ago, and she could barely remember the pain of that day, but the bone shattering pressure was always a reminder of her failings as a Genin. Since then, she had progressed so much. Why did she hold onto that moment in time? She did so to prevent from making the same mistakes again.

This was the excuse she gave herself. Still listening as he spoke, Hirihi only nodded to him without speaking. She'd let him finish before she gave her own rebuttal. Her mind completely changed course, though, as he spoke of taking interest in her last request. Might he know of Atlas's past? Maybe he could help her to reconnect him to his past and maybe get some answers as to the person he was before the Flash. As soon as she had an opening to speak, she would take the chance to explain. Hopefully, he might know at least one minor detail that could lead Hirihi to his past.

"His name is Atlas Burabiya. He is an academy teacher at Kumogakure and he has no recollection of his life prior to the Flash. What he knows is scattered bits and pieces. I'd like to know at least something that might help me to reconnect him to his past. A book, a journal, even a name of an old acquaintance that might still be alive." She said. Maybe this man might know him. If so, would he be willing to come meet with her friend?

As she waited for him to respond, Hirihi glanced around for an indication of the time. There was no telling how long she had been in these caverns. Any indication of the time might give her a better understanding of how long she had been there. It couldn't have been more than an hour, if that, that she had been conversing with the old man. Time had a way of slipping away, though, when the interests were piqued.

[Estilo]

★ Chapter Two - Puzzle Pieces

His name is Atlas Burabiya. Atlas Taisho Burabiya. A name the old geiser had not heard since his last days as a general. A name that brought a momentary silence to his lips, as downcast eyes focused on the cracks decorating the stone ground. Firelight blinked in his dark eyes. Even the dog's whining in the background failed to guide him away from his deep thoughts.

When he snapped out of it, Garin would look up towards Hirihi. Then, against all odds, what appeared to be a small smile manifested on the corner of his lips. But one couldn't be sure. It was so minuscule and fleeting, that Hirihi would not have a chance to discover whether he'd actually created the gesture or not. "Atlas, eh? And an Academy Teacher, you say? Hft."

Despite the fact that the profession was for weaklings, Garin thought it suited Atlas well in other ways. "Yes, I remember Taisho... I remember him well. Never one to incite a fight, always a bit of a pansy that one. But he had strength when it counted, I suppose. And when peace never came, he held his own under my rank and supervision. I thought he was dead."

Letting that sink in for a moment, he continued- narrowing his dark eyes. "How much do you know... about him?" Although the old geiser had never been actual friends with the man, he knew enough to provide the girl with a lead or two. After all, he had been Atlas' commanding officer during the latter half of the World War. "And his family? I suppose they survived as well?"

[Hirihi]

Surprise would be written across her face as he would be willing enough to speak about Atlas. When she had met the man 7 years ago, she had not been certain what to think of him. He had been an enigma to her, someone that didn't seem to fit. Out of all the people in the village, he just seemed different. There was no real reason for him to stand out to her, but he did. The plight of his lost memories was something that she thought she could help with. Maybe, if she could help him piece together his past, he'd finally be at some peace as to his life before the war.

The hardest part of the conversation had to be remaining quiet. He spoke so ill towards the man. It almost seemed as if he resented him for being human. With what self-control she had, she remained resolute to listen and memorize every detail she could. Everything from his presentation to the words he spoke, she attempted to soak it all in like a sponge. This, for her, was for fact checking. If he even slightly seemed as if he were lying about something, she would call him on it. She'd also be thinking back to this conversation for awhile, so she had to be certain not to miss anything that he said.

When he turned the conversation towards her, asking her two questions, Hirihi seemed to freeze. She didn't really know the man. She knew that he was an academy teacher, and that he had been a very interesting person. Interesting enough that she had thought to bring him up in a conversation seven years later. "I, honestly, know little of the man. I know of his current profession, and that we both have ascended to similar ranks among the village. Other than that I know little of him." She said, frowning a bit at her own realization that she didn't even know enough to have an intelligent response.

The statement of his family sent a pang of fear through her. F-Family?! Well, wait, that could be anything. Mother, father, sister, brother. It could be one of those things right? The thought that he might have had a wife in the past he had lost, maybe even... children, made her heart as heavy as lead. Knowing full well that she could not turn back from the conversation, Hirihi pushed forward, turning the page to see the rest of history, no matter how gruesome it might be or how bad it might make her feel. "To my knowledge, he has no family. Do you mean like a wife and kids, or parents?" Thoughts of her own father's death filtered through her mind. With that mixing with her own internal turmoil at the thought he may have a wife he knew nothing of, it was evident that the conversation was causing her to physically feel burdened, her shoulders dipping a bit.

[Estilo]

★ Chapter Two - Puzzle Pieces

The old man had only known about Atlas' family due to the royalty he had married- his wife, the heiress of a once wealthy Amegakure family. But that was as far as his knowledge of her went. Besides that, he knew Atlas was married to her, had a child, and lived on the outskirts of Kumogakure no Sato. He had to know during those days- as the war had forced the personal lives of its shinobi to meld with their lives as soldiers. One minute you could be eating breakfast, and the next, you could be rushing off to fight some sort of invasion. During those hectic times, everyone had to know where their allies were. It was almost essential.

Based on the pink-haired girl's reaction, it was obvious she was some sort of startled. But that would not alter the old man's response. He was typically straightforward when it came to conversations anyway, and this was no exception. "Yes. A wife, and a son. They lived on the banks of the Nihilim River, in a cabin just on the outskirts of Kumogakure no Sato."

He wasn't entirely sure whether the cabin was still there or not... after all, this had all been before the Great Flash. A little under eight years ago. And based on Hirihi's previous statements, he wasn't sure whether Taisho even remembered that part of his life to begin with. How far had the man gotten in the mystery of his own past? Only he would know. There was the slight chance he didn't remember that wife of his, or his son. Or the cabin the old man had just disclosed the location of. What a bloody shame.

"Poor fool," Garin remarked, grabbing a few sticks from the stockpile beside his seat and tossing them into the flames of his campfire. "I'm a stone's throw from eighty-years old, and I'd wager I remember even more than him!" He grunted afterwards, displeasure filling his countenance. "Something must have hit that thick-skull of his hard, eh? Weakling."

[Hirihi]

If Hirihi had thought that her heart was low when he had brought up his family, it had sank well below her stomach and into the ground beneath her. He had been married. He knew nothing of his wife and son. It was a heartbreaking realization on two levels: her own personal reasons of infatuation and his lack of knowing about a previous love. Her expression would definitely show the sadness that her heart felt. He had already been taken off of the market long before she had come along. It wouldn't have been that hard of a sting to her emotions if she had known it up front. She'd had a lot of time to ponder the mysterious man, and the time apart had left her more curious as the days went by.

Sighing, Hirihi committed the name of the place to her memory. She WOULD be visiting that place. She may even be going there directly after this. She had a map and would easily be able to find the river. That was, if the river hadn't changed too greatly. There was no telling where along the river the cabin might be. The question, though, came to her mind of why. Why would she put herself through that? Shouldn't she just report it to him to let him know that he may have a wife and son still alive somewhere in the world?

No. She wouldn't tell him. If she told him and left him with false hope of finding his past memories, that would be a cruel tragedy. Instead, she would investigate it and tell him all of the details in one sitting. Part of her wanted to hide it from him, should she seem him again in the village. It might seem like she was withholding the evidence, but she didn't feel that way. She wanted to be certain of what had happened before even bringing it to him.

What if, though, she found evidence that his family was still alive? She'd have to tell him, be happy for him, and move on. With a sullen glance up to the old man, Hirihi sat back with her shoulders higher than before, showing she had come to the decision of what she would do. "I may have to be on my way, ol--sir. I imagine that people are beginning to wonder where I am. I've likely missed my check-in time between our conversation. Is there anything you want me to do in return for the meal?" Hirihi asked, She was never one to take a free meal from someone without offering any help she could provide.

[Estilo]

★ Epilogue

A Bouquet of Hyacinths

The old man turned his weathered gaze towards the darkness of the cave afar. Although he feigned not thinking highly of this girl, he had to admit that she was polite. Good-natured even. And it appeared as though she had discovered her resolve. That look in her eyes- determination. He'd seen it before. And he figured she wasn't as interested in learning the powers of the Youton release as before. To be honest, Garin wasn't even certain he could teach her. As far as he was concerned, it was just something that came naturally. Now that she was voicing a request, he would take advantage of it. He hadn't been to Kumogakure in so long...

"There is something... something I could use your help with." Garin's old gaze shifted towards the pink-haired girl. Was she being honest? He hoped so. "If you can... go to the Sedonis Cemetery in western Kumogakure no Sato... look for Janice Yagataki." He paused for a moment, turning away from the girl and the fire momentarily. Concealing the expression on his countenance. He then reached a single hand into the front pocket of his battered brown coat, retrieving a single gold piece and handing it to Hirihi. The edge of his eyes gleamed. "Buy a bouquet of hyacinths for her with this. She loved them."

Noticing what he perceived as an anxiety to leave, he nodded her away nonchalantly- towards the exit from whence she came. As she would proceed to leave, he would abruptly voice a final statement. "And Hirihi," Ha. He had actually called her by her first name. He was getting soft. But he was also getting old. Perhaps it was time for a change? "I hope you find what you're looking for. There isn't much left for me to do in this world... and I strongly believe that meeting you was my final good deed. Sorry... I don't think I'll be able to teach you the wonders of lava. Not that you could have learned in the first place." He added with a joking laugh, as taunting as before.

Finished with his taunting, he narrowed his eyes from within the darkness, staring back at the fire. His wife, Janice. He knew he would see her again... soon. "'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.'" He said, smiling this time. A smile that was clear to see. "Whether the future brings war, or everlasting peace... I hope you spend it with your loved ones. Don't let pride... or even glory, to get in the way of that. Honor comes in protecting those you love. Fight for them. Always remember."

[vegapunk]

@ Estilo 121 EXP + Jan OTM Bonus! 70 = 191 EXP

@ Matto 109 EXP

[/justify]