plating.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
As the sun would slowly begin to crawl from the back of what appeared to be a countless array of mountains, a new day would be steadily revealed to the eyes of anyone fortunate to view. The dynamics of the sunrise were things that many people fantasized about. However, what made it so elusive was its ability to continuously stay mysterious. No matter how many jutsu a ninja could master, they would never have an arsenal capable of answering the questions posed by the very sunrise. Of all of the five villages, Kumogakure was by far the closest to discovering this mystery. The countless number of mountains which would make up this country would stand testament to the number of generations that people have persevered. The endless strife of survival would be etched into the side of almost every mountain in the form of some sort of temple or dwelling. It would just so happen that today, one of these many mountains would house the presence of one of the many offspring of the ancestral beings who had carved these dwellings from stone. From this dismal cave, an oblivion would appear fitting, however as dim life form would sit, emerged in this faux oblivion, only a sharp focus would keep him breathing.

His legs crossed, and his arms raised to his chest, the young man would appear to be meditating. The darkness of the cave would slowly slither away from his frame as the light of the sun would come, driving it away. His eyes would remain sealed shut however, alluding that he was aware of the time, and the conflict between the shimmering light of the sun, and the hollow darkness of the night. His back would remain completely erect, despite the hours that he had spent here preparing for one of the biggest trials he had faced as a shinobi. While he would consider himself ready, he knew the serious stakes of taking on such a hazardous mission.

The cave entrance, decorated by what appeared to be massive ivory lions, sitting on either side of the entrance would make this place all the more ominous. Decaying, the stone lions would serve to remind the shinobi of exactly what it meant to live in a village such as this. Additional, smaller lions would sit to his vanguard, protecting the endless amount of steps that it would take to reach the peak of the mountain, where he sat. The mountain appeared to have been carved into tiers. However, the top of the mountain would appear to be the final destination for someone willing to embark on the journey up this mountain.

they leave me breathless

[Hirihi]

.:Enter:.

Hirihi was standing along the edge of one of the trails that wound up the mountain of choice for the day. She had been a resident of the village since the day she was born, and yet, she never found the time to actually scale the nearby mountains. In lieu of learning that she was going to be attending the Chuunin Exams, she knew that she would have to prepare herself greatly for the challenge ahead. As much as she knew she was prepared for the mental exhaustion that the exams would ask of her, she was fairly certain that she needed to improve her physical stamina for the fights that would come about. For this, she had decided to rise early from bed and climb up the mountain for her daily exercise. It wasn't so much that she felt required to do it, but she wanted to give the exams her best effort. Rather than just sit around and do missions and train new techniques, she could use the physical exercise to help bolster her in an area that she was definitely lacking.

She had decided to take one of the harder routes up the mountain, scaling it like a rock climber would any normal peak. Cutting between the trails and making much better time, she would be using her chakra to help her remain stuck to the wall as she climbed up it one grasp and step at a time. Her eyes tried to adjust against the early morning light as she rolled over the edge of one of the trails and lay on her back, panting heavily. This was definitely harder than she had thought it would be. Part of her wanted to just end it now, go home, and go back to her normal routine. This wouldn't prove anything more than that she couldn't do it. Too stubborn to quit, and too anxious to see this through, Hirihi continued her climb up the side of the mountain. She would be nearing the top of one of the trails that lead into a section of caves when the sun would begin to rise.

Turning to take in the glory of the sunrise, Hirihi smiled and let the light wash over her for a moment. Her arms were glistening with sweat as she let the cool air blowing by cool her off from the physical exhaustion. As she looked towards the cave, her eyes would take in the sight of the lions near the entrance and grin. They were rather ferocious looking, and if they were meant to keep people away, she could definitely understand that. It wouldn't be much farther now for her to reach the peak of the mountain, and she was grateful for that. Walking along the path, feeling the weight of her body twice as heavy with her aching muscles, she wandered into the cave and found herself at the base of a large staircase. For the love of god... She thought to herself.

Taking the stairs slowly, she would move up the steps until she would find herself at the peak of the mountain. She couldn't remember when she had started the dangerous trek up the mountain, but she was definitely sure that it had taken her a lot longer than she had intended. She'd have to move faster the next time, start earlier and try to beat the sun to the top of the mountain. When she arrived there, she would find someone sitting in a meditation position, arms crossed and eyes closed. Bright blonde hair caught her attention, and she could have sworn that this was a female she was approaching. Stopping a few feet away from the person, Hirihi wondered whether or not she was supposed to greet the person, or if she was supposed to keep her mouth shut. There was no need in disturbing someone's meditation. Taking a seat, Hirihi brought her knees up to her chest and rested her arms on her knees, her head laying against her forearms. She was tired, but she felt a little bit accomplished.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
Behind two dark eyelids, a plethora of thoughts would circulate as the young shinobi would consider the possibilities of combat. The idea of taking life, and the idea of life being taken was a bit much for him. The grip of his gloved hands would begin to tighten as he could only imagine the chaos that could befall him if he were to make a single mistake. The existentialist cataclysm that would surround anyone left in a state of meditation, was too much for him to bare. The thought of his sister would cross his mind. They were the only two left in his family to have not taken the exams yet. She was young, and too kind to engage in combat. The thought of her killing would allow him just as much torment as he had been giving himself during this session. His brow would curl beneath his platinum hair, his eyes squinting tightly as he could feel the warmth of blood slowly surrounding his toes. It was this sensation that he feared so much, but at the same time, it was this sensation that would drive him to be able to do what it took to get the job done. If he needed to shed blood in order to protect himself and his sister, then shedding blood would be what he would do.

The steps to become a Chuunin were long, and tedious. Eventually, the possibility of him facing Saori in combat would cross his mind as well. However, that was a session that he could not bare today. Eventually, his concentration would fade, and the images of his sister would slowly begin to fade. The two golden eyes of his father would cross his mind, and as the two would engage each other in an inaudible stare, he could only imagine victory. The Ogon clan still lived on somewhere on this continent, and if he could not manage to show his superiority among his peers, then he had no right to consider himself a member of not only the Ogon, but of the Yamanaka as well. The hand seal that he had been holding would slowly slide from it's concrete position, onto the sides of his knees. His bare, lanky arms would hang slothfully from his legs, and his back would slowly curl as his head would fall. His chin, touching his chest, would slowly glide back into the air as he would take a massive inhale. The exposure of his throat would reveal the Kumogakure hachigane wrapped tightly around his neck. It was his symbol of accomplishment, allowing him to never forget the trials he had once suffered through. However, as he would release himself from the meditative state, his eyes slowly opening, the sun would reveal to him a completely separate image.

The bright pink locks of what appeared to be a young woman would be the first clue as to what it was that Kurai was looking at. While the sudden surprise would initially make his heart jump, it would take almost no time to realize that this woman appeared to be doing nothing but sitting down. He could hardly recognize her from her current position, so it was unclear if he knew her. His arms, slowly moving behind his frame would keep him steady while his legs would unfold. The bottom of his sandals would touch the stone that would make up the mountainous platform in which the two sat. Pushing himself up, the Genin would stand above the petite woman, his right hand reaching behind him to the small of his back to grasp onto the padded handle of his ninja-to. His left hand however would point it's index finger at the girl, as his voice would crush the silence between the two.

"Who are you?" He would inquire softly, not wanting to startle her into doing something dangerous.

they leave me breathless

[Hirihi]

Hirihi would be perfectly still as the male would stand up and turn to look at her. The golden colored eyes of the boy would seem almost calming to the girl as she watched him approach. She sat quietly as he drew near, and her crimson eyes were locked on the arm that moved behind himself. He seemed to be grabbing something, and her body tensed up as she prepared to fight. She wasn't sure what the boy was doing, but she wasn't going to act until she was sure that the boy was aiming to attack her. Fighting up here, at this altitude, could be interesting. Still, she didn't want to fight the boy. She was outmatched, and she could easily tell. Most of her experience came from the time that she had spent in the hospital, training up her abilities as a healer, and not as a fighter..

His words were cold as they spilled from his lips. "Who are you?" The words were simple. They asked nothing more than what the words said, and his tone told nothing of his motives. It was just a simple question, yes, but Hirihi knew that there was something going on in everyone's heads at any given time. That was just the way that things ran. "My name is Hirihi. Rinji Hirihi." She said, making sure her eyes stayed locked onto his. Even as she looked him in the eyes, she was leery of what his arms were doing, careful to make sure that he wasn't planning to sneak in a hit on her.

It was a nervous reaction, something that Drago had taught her. Never trusting people that were near you. As she watched him, she would slowly rise, her hands remaining in front of herself as she stood before him. She was much shorter than him, at least half a foot. Her head had to tilt back a bit to look up into his eyes. "What about yourself?" Hirihi asked, hands at her side as she waited for a response from him. There was something about him that was a little bit alarming to her. His eyes were definitely something she didn't see everyday. It could easily be said the same for her own. No one bore the red crimson eyes without a purpose. At least the Uchiha had a reason for having such eyes. She just looked out of place.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
Two golden orbs would pursue the intentions of this girl. As she stood to her feet, her shadow would expand further away from him, growing much taller than she actually was. The sun would sit behind him, having just escaped the reach of the mountaintop. However, as the girl would confront him with her stature he couldn't help but feel that she was hiding something. Of course, there was an easy method to confirm or deny his suspicions, but she was too close to perform any sort of jutsu effectively. That was just it. Why had she ventured all the way up this specific mountain, only to sit a few feet away from its only inhabitant? Things didn't add up, and as he would begin to put things together, it would feel as though they were falling apart. She was suspicious to say the least, and as he would stare so viciously at her, he could see the carnage hidden behind her own crimson eyes. Red were not the eyes of the common people. While there was a possibility that she could have been Uchiha, the Sharingan causing the user's eyes to transform into a bright red hue, she did not appear to have any sort of tomoe that made the Sharingan so specific. From this distance there was no mistaking it: she wasn't Uchiha. However, that did not mean that she did not possess some sort of doujutsu.

Kurai's mouth, hidden behind a tall black collar would twitch as the woman would reveal her name. Hirihi Rinji. It was a peculiar name, and one that he was not familiar with. She appeared to be around his age, which would cause him to believe that maybe she could have been in his academy class. However, Kurai knew everyone in his class, which would only lead him to believe that she must have advanced. That would leave the shinobi to decipher one thing: she was a superior ninja. He would grimace at the idea of her being here to eliminate him from the exams. She didn't appear to be a Chuunin, though a Chuunin wouldn't appear so fatigued from the trek up this mountain. She was sweating, her petite body showing it's signs of wear. He would have to play things safe from here on. He couldn't risk not being able to participate in the exams because of someone like her.

Kurai's hand would slowly sway away from the handle of his ninja-to. His bent knees would slowly begin to straighten, adding a few inches in his stature as he would tower over his enigmatic adversary. His mouth would twitch once more as he would open his mouth, revealing once more his subtle voice.

"My name is Namahana Jin." He would relay, his eyes still not diverting their attention from her frame.

He would take a casual step back before slowly lowering his head, showing his fabricated respect for her upon their acquaintance. The false deceleration of his name would perhaps divert her attention from him. If she had been tracking Ogon Kurai, then perhaps this name would throw her off. It was a worthy shot, considering that only fellow sensors could tell if he was lying. However, he knew the seals for the Kagura Uso, and if she would attempt to discover him, his expectations of her plot would be revealed. As his head would rise, he would keep a steady smile on his face, despite the cover of the collar. His golden eyes were more than enough to reveal the possibility of happiness.

they leave me breathless

[Hirihi]

Hirihi would keep into perspective that he had his knees bent at an angle so as to strike. She was not an idiot when it came to fighting, and Drago had taught her just how ruthless a fellow ninja could be. Even if they had the same headband, she had just as much to fear. When his stance would change, she would still keep her guard up against him. She wasn't going to be cast over the side of the mountain to die. Not that she'd imagine someone would DO something like that. Accidents happen, and it isn't all too uncommon for the occasional civilian to test their strength, only to fall to their doom below. Regardless, she kept her crimson eyes on him as she watched his movements.

As he would speak his name, Hirihi would absorb the name and begin to tack it to the face that she saw before her. She wouldn't forget someone like this. Those golden eyes were something that she couldn't get out of her mind. Was that something common? She knew that her own eyes were uncommon, but a golden hue was definitely something that could denote a doujutsu. Namahana Jin... He would back away and Hirihi would give a pleasant smile to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you." She said, looking around and walking to lean against one of the stone structures, checking it for stability before putting her full weight against it. "So, do you always come up to the mountains this early?"

Hirihi knew that the question seemed a little bit odd, but this was coming from someone who had just done the very same thing. She had no clue what had prompted her to begin to train so hard for the exams as she was. This was just one of those weird circumstances that she just found herself feeling inadequate and needed to test her own strength. She could look back at this and feel that there was some strength in her yet. Her eyes would then turn back to him as she waited for a reply. She couldn't read the boy. He was quiet and secretive. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something about him made her feel that there was more than meets the eye.

Even as they remained silent, those golden eyes haunted her even if she were to look away. That, and his voice. None of his appearance matched in her mind. Each was unique, stood out, and felt as if someone had just taken all the unique pieces of a puzzle and put them together in an odd combination. Some could probably say the same about her and her pink hair, as well as her dark red eyes. it was just something that she couldn't easily explain.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
The crisp mountain air would benefit the breathlessness that he had felt during his meditation. Now that this young woman was talking to him, he could only assume that she was here for a diplomatic ploy. Her coy politeness was frugal to say the least. She didn't speak much, and even when her mouth did open, it didn't appear that she was saying anything of importance. Small talk was something that Kurai wasn't used to from strangers. While his sisters were once for speaking, that trait had escaped the young man. However, that did not inquire that he was a magnificent listener either. His observation of her would remain severe. As she had not presented herself as an enemy just yet, that would imply that she was either waiting for something, or wasn't a combatant to begin with. Of course, the academy had taught him, as well as her no doubt, that the latter was hardly ever the case. The only person a ninja could truly trust were themselves. There were rarely any exceptions. Those that would forget that rule would no doubt end up just as dead as their enemies would want them to be.

As he would comprehend her question, a quick response would come to his head. He had been climbing this mountain for the last few weeks in fact. Every morning, he would come to either train his ninjutsu or meditate, much like he was doing before she arrived. Constant missions would keep him busy, but considering that he was soon to have the chance to advance to much more life-threatening missions they would have to take the back burner. If he did not focus his full attention on the Chuunin exams, they would eat him alive. He knew that for certain. The sun that would beat on the top of his platinum hued skull would remind him of that. The life that the cosmos would be a constant totem that would speak to the golden eyed Genin. Which is why, as he would begin to answer the young lady's question, the idea would spark instantly into his mind's eye.

"No. This is actually my first time here." He would reply casually, his arms folding in a similar fashion.

As his hands would be hidden behind his biceps, his head would sway to the side, his hood slowly falling from the top of his head. The idea of her being an enemy had occupied him for the majority of her presence here. However, while worrying about her attacking him, it did not occur to him that perhaps it should be Kurai doing the actual attacking. He didn't know who she was, which meant that she would obviously not serve any sort of purpose in the near future. However, if it turned out that she was not a Genin eligible for the exams, he would be doing nothing but wasting his time in attacking her. Additionally, he would no doubt be reprimanded if she were to escape to identify him as her attacker. His fingers, gripping around his slender waist would slowly stroke the muscle protecting his kidneys. He would have to make sure that she was competition in the first place before making any definitive movement.

"What about you? I haven't seen you around the village. Do you come here to train often?" He would inquire politely.

His voice would remain unchanged as he would cautiously stay near the entrance of the cave. The gaping mouth of the cave would provide him with plenty of space to maneuver. He didn't want to move further away, making it harder to launch a successful attack should anything happen, nor move closer to make her suspicious of him. Instead, he would remain stationary, attempting to look as casual as he possibly could.

they leave me breathless

[Hirihi]

Hirihi could hear that same voice again. It was quiet. It leaked no emotion. It was just a voice that carried with it the words he spoke with the motive cleansed from it. It was like he was keeping something secret, or that he was trying to prevent from saying something he'd regret. Was he hiding something up there? Had she intruded on him and an area that he called his own? Hirihi was beginning to wonder if maybe she had made the wrong choice in coming up this particular mountain today. Letting her arms fall to her sides, she would hear his question and wonder if maybe there was something he was trying to divulge from her. If it was a fight he was asking for, she wouldn't comply. She was in no mood to fight a fellow ninja without a cause. She didn't like the idea that the solidarity of their village was not something that one could count on. No one should fear death from their own village shinobi, as well as the outside world.

He was not common to be seen here? That was a bit of a surprise to her. He seemed to at peace, as if he wasn't afraid of his surroundings at all. Most people, especially in a new place, moved at the slight brush or breeze passing through a cavern in fear of something that they didn't know. He was calm, though. This set her off that maybe she had just walked into a situation that might very well be a bad one. Deciding that it was best to keep the conversation light, maybe slowly edge herself away from the area, she listened to his question and thought on how best to answer it. If she said she was a frequenter to the place, she would be lying. This would also give off the idea that she would be a formidable opponent. No one likes to fight someone who is comfortable in their surroundings. Only a fool fights in an area the enemy knows better than themselves.

But, if she said that she was visiting it for the first time, that leaves her the chance to remain honest, as well as to seem as non-threatening as possible. Maybe he was just as threatened by her presence as she was now becoming of him. Honesty was going to be the winner in her little mental battle today. "I've never actually been up in the mountains before. I'm not new to the village, though. I work over at the hospital. I'm a medic on staff there, and I trained there shortly after finishing out of the academy." She said, giving just enough information so as to keep him friendly, if it all possible.

"Well, I apologize if I was interrupting you before when I came in. I just decided that, in lieu of the Chuunin Exams coming up, I would start training myself harder. Climbing a mountain seemed the best solution. Though, in hind sight, just getting up and doing it might not have been the smartest decision that I have ever made in my life. My father might very well kill me for it." She said, chuckling and shaking her head as she remained in place. "If you want me to leave, so as not to interrupt you any further, I'd be more than happy to go. I know how it is to be training and be interrupted." She said, hoping this would give her an opening to leave the area. The chills up her spine were getting worse.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
Her brief explanation of what her business was on this mountain was far more than he expected. He didn't understand medic ninja, despite his family being full of them. However, despite the fact that she was a stranger, and in way over her head, it was obvious that she was skilled. If it wasn't in combat, it was in support. If she was a medic, then that meant that she had the ability to not only heal herself, but her teammates as well. However, that also meant that if he were capable of befriending her, she would be able to use that ability to benefit him. As his two massive eyes would peer into her soul, he would realize that this woman was not an enemy, nor a liability. If anything, Hirihi Rinji was an asset. However, because of the fact that he saw her in a different light, didn't mean that she viewed him as anything more than a rival, or enemy. She was a Kumogakure shinobi, and a medic at that. If anything, she was going to be the one who would want to solidify peace. That is, if she were telling the truth. He wasn't sure.

However, as she would begin to grow long winded, her lips exerting excuses as though they were oxygen, he would realize that she was attempting to leave. Either she had gathered enough information on him, or she felt threatened, but she wasn't ready to be there any longer. She was attending the Chuunin Exams, or so she said. If she was, he couldn't afford to let her go without befriending her. When the time came, he would need her healing abilities, and she would no doubt need his fighting ability. The only way to solidify that this transaction however, was to put it on the plate in the first place.

"Hey, I understand. It's not like you knew that I was here. I'm sorry to bother you in the first place,"

His hands would slowly unfold from his chest, revealing that he was no longer tense around her. Instead, they would slowly remove his hood. The cotton would slip from the top of his head before maneuver to the front of his mouth. The small metal zipper would begin to slide down it's magnificently bright teeth, his lips being revealed to the young woman. They would slowly continue to move.

"I lied to you before. I wasn't sure if I could trust you. My name is actually Ogon Kurai," He would say with an apologetic smile, bowing slightly in an attempt to accelerate the process. "I didn't know if I could trust you. Anyway, I'm also attending the Chuunin Exams. If you would like to travel together, I would be greatly honored. I'm afraid I don't have the graces of a Genin Team." He would continue with a chuckle.

His slow, soft voice would resonate with the stone interior of the cave, multiplying with every syllable. He didn't except her to forgive him, or accept his well hidden apology, but the most he could do was hope. He would have at least introduced himself, and prevented a possible altercation. If she would accompany him, then she would understand the significance of their alliance. Of course, that meant that he would need to assure her protection as well. They would become actual allies, at least until the exams were over. It all hinged on her acceptance. Could she trust a liar? Or would she be wary of the tall, dark man towering above her?

they leave me breathless

[Hirihi]

Hirihi felt her gut tell her that she should've listened to it in the first place. Coming to this place had been somewhat of a mistake. If she hadn't of come, she wouldn't be put in such a tight spot. No one around to help her, protect her. When she had attempted to ease herself out of the conversation and down the mountain, he would actually begin to give his real name. So, she had been right to be leery of the man. Thankfully, her honesty ran true in this case, and it left her with a sense that she probably couldn't trust him. She would stand quietly and listen to his offer, though, out of respect. He was going to the exams as well. That could prove a smart decision to go with him, but there was the problem of honesty between the two.

If he had truly believed she was a threat, he would have handled it differently. Though, how would she have done that if she believed that someone was out to get her? She couldn't rightly answer the question. Shrugging her shoulders, she pushed off of the rock and looked at him, seeing him in a much better view now that he had removed the hood back for her to see more of his face. Whether this was a sign of him opening himself up or not, she couldn't be absolutely certain. "If you are going to the exams, I'll accompany you. I don't have a team of my own to go with, so it could be helpful. As far as the lying, just don't do it again." If he was a formidable fighter, she might very well have found her safe haven for the exams.

It was no doubt that she was a weakling when it came to fighting. She wasn't strong when it came to muscles. She was a healer primarily. Outside of that, she was just about as useful as ice in the frozen north. She wouldn't tell him that she had the ability to tell if he were lying or not. She figured it would be best to leave that to herself for the time being. That would give her the upper hand should he try and lead her into believing something that wasn't true. "Well, it's nice to actually meet the real you." She said, snickering and looking around.

"So, meet me outside of the gates and we can travel to the exams. I need to get some materials from the shop before we depart." She said, walking slowly past him. "We'll meet tomorrow, same time as now, and head out." She said. Jumping over the side of the cliff, she began the fun part of her exercise for the morning. Running along the edge of the mountain and practicing her evasion from a new perspective.

.:Exit:.

[BLKND]

the scars of your love

ogonkurai
As he would watch the kunoichi depart from his presence, his hands would slowly fold into his pockets once more. His eyes would follow her body as it would perform something short of miraculous in her acrobatics. His hands, never still, would move to the back of his head, his slender arms folding his wingspan in half as he would begin to contemplate. Reflecting on what had just occurred, his visible lips would curl into a smirk as his new companion would would exit. She was going to be his bishop, the rules of chess parading through his cranium as he would leer at her afterimage. The thought of her eyes would replay itself constantly in his frontal lobe. The breeze of the chilled mountain air would brush against his cheek as he could only imagine what she was like normally. The brisk temperature reminding him of just how cold he could actually be. This wasn't the case with her. As his steps would slowly guide him closer to her exit point, the benefit of her interaction would appear all the more enthralling.

It was always a pleasure meeting new people. It have Kurai more things to toy with. Whether he played the role of the friend, or of the foe, he fed off of these interactions. The sustenance that they would provide would allow him to keep going, to make sure that every move they made would be under his control. Perhaps this was the fate of the Yamanaka clan. Or perhaps this was the fate of being his father's son. The two massive crimson eyes which Rinji left in his head slowly being replaced by the threatening, invading golden gaze of his late father. The last words of his deceased ringing clearly into his subconscious. A moment of silence, and hesitation would befall the mountaintop. As the gaping mouths of two vicious ivory beasts would call for flesh, Kurai's eyes would slowly want to answer them. As his fists would collect themselves back into his pockets, he would allow himself more time to meditate. If he was going to meet Rinji, ready to become a Chuunin, then he was going to have to prepare himself that much more. He couldn't show her any weakness. For that would foil any plan he had in store for her... and at the time: he had plenty.

exit.

they leave me breathless

[Icarus]

Obs + 47
Hiri + 43