The Beauty of Power [Genbu/P]

[--Megumi--]

I had expected something more from a major nation. The big five were always so eager to throw around their strength, their power, and their war hungry ambition that even I could not see the beauty in it anymore. Because of that I had always thought that such powerful nations would not be so, oh what is the word, disappointing. Granted I could not be so selfish as to say that each place in the world did not have its own beauty. However, to my standards, the barren and rocky crag of Tsuchi no Kuni was far to drab for my liking. Again, it indeed was quite disappointing.

“Hm, I wonder if dear Lady Kusakage would enjoy her borders extended?”

A delicious little plot formed in my mind. If I positioned myself right I could extend Kusa no Kuni’s borders a good 20 meters without much notice. After all, I did not think that people still did such awful tasks such as trudging along borders. Such a boring station that would be. However, the thought of Lady Kusakage being proud of me was quite tempting. Not that I cared for her particular sentiment, but it was the recognition that I thrived on. The more I received the more respect I would obtain. With more respect came power, perhaps not physical, but certainly when it came to manipulation.

Twas my best asset after all.

Though the thoughts of starting the path to my ever-deserved future of greatness had become quite the temptress, I simply needed to decline. Why would I bring about a forest and leave myself with hardly the energy to make it back to the village. Someone of my caliber and status most certainly would not be spending the night in the wilderness. This was not a mission, thus not a requirement for my greatness. Therefore, it was not a considered possible outcome. Even with my power over Mokuton the feat was still asking a lot for a simple day out and about.

I think I will pass. Perhaps later when Lady Kusakage returns I will entertain her with my thoughts and ask for her attendance. My power, my absolute mastery had yet to be seen by her eyes and even if she had asked I would have hid it away. It needed to be saved for the right opportune moment to impress. I require the best.

Turning on my heel, I faced towards the luscious green of the current country I called home. The beauty there could be appreciated much more than the previous eyesore of shades of brown and red. Thankfully a soft breeze came to me and I flipped my hair to have it blown by the current. Sighing I smoothed my sky blue summer dress, tapped my feet on the ground to make sure by ivory flats were well secure to my feet, and then took two steps forward only to stop. I had put myself above most temptation, especially the childish variety. However I could not help but turn back around and walk towards the very borderline once more.

What are a few extra trees? No one would notice. So my hands, as delicate as they are, began to flash through hand seals. My only distraction? The blue nail polish on one of my fingers had started to chip. How dreadful…

[/justify]

[DEVIL—]

Border patrol? Bass's jaw nearly hit the floor, his eyes wide and white, as the Jounin handed him the mission. "Lady Tsuchikage got me doin' border patrol?!"

"Sorry, champ." The Jounin gave a shrug. "Orders and orders."

"B-but. . . border patrol?"

The shinobi laughed. "We've all got to do it some times. Besides, you've got the Kusa-quadrant. It's pretty nice out there."

-_-; "Ya, I bet."

---

"This is ridiculous," Bass crooned to himself while sifting through the air. Comfortably perched on his large owl's back, he had a flawless view of everything surrounding him for quite some distance. It was bright, too; not a single cloud in sight. "Of all the stuff Lady Tsuchikage could have me doin', she got me on border patrol? What do I look like, mon? A Genin?"

It wasn't until the owl gave a slight crow that Bass ceased his mumbling. Leaning forward, just a tad, he peeked over one of the flapping wings and caught a glance of a figure down below. Oi, someone's here. Lets take a look~

Retrieving his tracker and adjusting it for maximum settings, Bass was greeted by a lovely-faced young lady from Kusagakure. Quite content on leaving her be, it wasn't until he saw her walk to the edge of the tree line and begin forming hand seals that his interest was truly peeked. What, exactly, did she intend on doin'? "Drab," he grunted. "Guess I gotta make an entrance."

With a tap of his foot, the owl sank into the ocean of the sky, lowering itself to the rocky surface below. She would, undoubtedly, see the shadow looming above her - growing larger by the second as the creature neared, until at last she would see Bass upon its peek as the Iwa-nin hovered above her (3m).

Hands already submerged in the two satchels fastened to his hips, munchin' on their contents, Bass cocked his head to the side. "And what'cha be thinkin' ya' doin', lil' lady?"

[--Megumi--]

I had it all planned out. It would be such an utterly perfect plan that I almost could not believe that I had come up with it. Of course, this was me after all. Perhaps I should not be so surprised. However, during my string of hand seals a shadow loomed above me. Clouds no doubt. But the bigger it got made me incline my head to view the large owl like creature that had begun its descent. With someone on top no less! The close it got the more I realized that this was not an organic owl, or a live one at that. It was made from some substance and it was not until it was upon me that I could make it out. Clay.

During the descent I had switched my succession of hand seals and held my hands together, holding the seal while watching the boy on the clay owl. He had talent, nothing like my talent, but talent none the less. His creation was like art, and beautiful it was in creation and function. It was a talent to respect but there was one thing that marred that. The boy was from the bland Tsuchi no Kuni. How could someone from there be anything less than dull like the barren earth they lived in? Disappointing!

“Little lady? Oh nothing, dear. I was just enjoying the scenery.” My eyes scanned him over. He seemed rather laid back; however it was the Iwagakure headband that caught my attention. Lovely. A border patrol. I suppose for once I was wrong about something. Despite his demeanor I could tell he was as prepped as I had been. Smart boy. Sadly, my position did indeed put me in a poor situation.

It was time for me to actually try.

With a smile so delicate I released the seal I had been holding and slammed my palms down to the ground. From that very spot in front of me and beneath the looming shadow of the clay owl, beams of wood erupted skyward. Though still hard as wood, they were quite serpentine in nature. I knew if I could trap him here and now I could escape with no further need to fight. If not, well, I pitied him. After all, my greatness could not be outshined so easily. But I was not idle as these wooden beams erupted from the earth. I leaped back [5m] to put some distance between us while my hands danced once more in a series of seals just in case I so needed them.

Poor, poor boy.

[/justify]

SPOILER: Click to show

Mokuton Ryouuken (Wood Dominion)
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Mokuton Kekkei Touta
Range: 0 - 50 meters
Handseals: No.
Chakra: --
Special: Establishes the area in which a user can control their wood creations, as well as the speed at which these wood creations grow/move. Because Mokuton is a solid essence with physical mass and is not a typical wood creation from nature, its creations have more endurance attributed to it; as such, each wood creation from the user will have have a natural, built-in defense against any single-ranked attack equally ranked or lower.

• D: 10 meter range / 1 meter per second growth rate
  
• C: 20 m range / 2 mps gr
  
• B: 30 m range / 3 mps gr
  
• A: 40 m range / 4 mps gr
  
• S: 50 m range / 5 mps gr

Description: The basis behind the majority of Mokuton techniques lie in the user's ability to control the wood and trees the name implies. 'Wood Dominion' is just that, a fundamental supplementary jutsu of Mokuton nature that allows the user to intermingle their chakra with that of nature, harmonizing the two in order to create complete control over all wood around them. Once this link is achieved, the door is opened for greater creations to be made.
Domain: Mokuton.

Jubaku no Jutsu (Tree Restraints Technique)
Rank: B
Type: Defensive / Mokuton Kekkei Touta
Range: See special!
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: Mid --> Low
Special: Strength of restraints and range at which the user can entrap a victim depends on their 'Mokuton Ryuuken'. Beams appear all around a single target after the user forms the desired handseals and slams their hands on the ground. Binding lasts until destroyed using a strike equally ranked to the restraints, or until it is dispelled by the user. Up to one victim can be bound at once, plus one more each time retrained; however, after every third retraining, chakra consumption will go up by one.
Description: Using his ability to utilize Mokuton, the user will form handseals and cause beams of wood to emerge from the ground below and around the targets feet. Emerging in the blink of an eye, these beams are quite malleable while still retaining their hardness. Best of all, these beams will wrap around the target to bind them entirely, preventing almost all forms of movement, including handseals!
Domain: Mokuton. Mokuton Ryuuken 'B'.

Prep1

Nature Advantage in effect

[DEVIL—]

The change in seals was noted (as he'd been watching her with his tracker, as noted), though nothing in his demeanor or stature would've suggested he'd caught on to the girl's antics. While he wasn't sure what kind of jutsu she possessed, one thing was obvious: she was preparing for his arrival, which would come no different than had he never seen the minor adjustment.

"Well, I'mma have ta ask ya to go--"

!

The Iwagakure native was interrupted by the beams erupting from the earth, and probably would've been ensnared had he not suspected something to have been coming. With a simple shift of weight, the owl veered off to the side (his left) and easily evaded the sinuous roots. However, not wanting to worry about the aftermath, he'd left something for them: a "small," floating insect no bigger than the palm of his hand.

Being as how she'd taken the liberty of jumping back, she compromised the integrity -- even if only a negligible amount -- of her control over the ravenous vines (until she was safely squared away once more with her hands back on the ground). In that time, a single seal would've been formed as they paused in their speedy gait. In addition, the bug, defined as a bee, had already relocated more so toward the base of the group by that time.

"Katsu!" The explosion ripped out without any warning, easily capable of decimating the entire collection of roots with a sheering wave of heat and smoke. The burning would would only add to the unfortunate cloud of smog, more than likely masking both individuals for a period of time (several seconds); the perfect cover for his other little friends to spread their wings and take off. However, that owl, still having yet to pause, was coming in strong from the kunoichi's right (10m; 5m high).

Meanwhile, both of Bass's hands were exposed now, carrying a kunai in each, empty of whatever they might've been carrying before that first (of what was sure to be many) explosion. His own roundabout, mirror approach was swift, albeit calculated.

"Ya picked da wrong one, missy!"

SPOILER: Click to show

¹Kibaku-Nendo • C1 Shī Wan (Exploding Clay • C1): 1 out of 12 (current).
²___

[--Megumi--]

I knew of clan that used clay as a weapon but I had never been entirely sure just what it was that they did with them. Upon meeting the boy it would have been supposedly apparent that it was used to create golems and other objects to use as attacks and weaponry. It was reminiscent of something akin to the paper users I had also heard of. Despite my faulty decision to break contact, though only briefly, I had thought that my wooden beams would be able to ensnare him.

My eyes narrowed. That clay creation was the only saving grace he had. If the boy had been on his feet, he would have belonged to me. That was fine though. I could simply control the wood to snake its way after him. I noticed it then, something small floating between the beams of the wood. Before I could try to attack him once more however, the brilliance of my technique was blown away by an explosion that I could only attribute to the object floating within the radius of the structure.

Exploding clay. How messy. How unsatisfying. How utterly destructive and careless. The smoke screen from the explosion mixed with the burning smoke from my wooden creations made me grumble. How rudimentary and boring. Did he really think such lowly of me? It made my blood boil.

Unfortunately for him, it was easy to know what he had planned before he set it into motion. Smokescreens could be useful but not when flying. The sound of the clay wings slicing through the billowing smoke alerted me quickly of the trajectory of his flight. I too would use this to my advantage as this smokescreen went well with what I had already planned.

With the prepped technique I had ready, more wood rippled from my body, pulling away from me and into a perfect clone just as beautiful as I. He would try and ram me most likely, or jump from the bird and attack me himself. That was fine considering what was waiting for him. It was then that I would leap back once more [5m] to put more distance between us while my hands flew together.

Even if he saw my last minute leap from the smoke, his quick attack to my previous location could not be easily turned in such a blink of the eye. And if he did? He would have to worry about behind him as well. As for my attack, with the last hand seal I extended my arm, the flawless skin there darkening as it morphed into wood to the cellular level. The wooden beam shot straight at where I expected him to travel. Even if he moved passed my clone and attempt to go passed the beam, I would have the beam split itself into two spikes; one going upwards should he attempt to fly higher and the other to the left if he tried to go around the assault. After all down meant he would hit the ground and he was already coming from the right.

However with the smokescreen clearing, that is when I saw what looked like the little thing flying between my trap from earlier. Many of them in fact scattered. Just how many I was not sure quite yet. But each one had the potential to explode. The realization that I may be in trouble started to hit me. Thankfully I had seen the extent of the last explosion that covered roughly 5 meters. I would have to remember that.

Though I could not right now, I knew my next move, and I knew it would be close. However there was no way I would belittle myself as to lose to such a rowdy, disastrous brat like him.

[/justify]

SPOILER: Click to show

Wood Dominion: S-rank (50mr/5mps)

1. Moku Bunshin no Jutsu (Wood Clone Technique)
Rank: Bx2 (One made)
Type: Supplementary / Mokuton Kekkei Touta
Range: See special!
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: Mid [per clone] -> Low [per clone]
Special: Up to one clone can be made at a time, plus one more each time retrained, for a maximum of five (5). When struck, wood clones can withstand up to one strike one rank less than 'Mokuton Ryuuken' before being destroyed; when destroyed, they will explode in a see of wood shards one rank less than their 'MR' rank, covering a 5 meter diameter. Finally, Wood clones can cast any known general Wood jutsu one rank less than the highest rank known in 'Mokuton Ryuuken', but whatever attacks they perform will still draw from the user's chakra pool.
Description: After a few handseals, the user will cause beams of wood to emerge from his or her body, quickly taking the shape of the user. Within moments, this wood will morph and form a into a carbon copy of the users will, capable of utilizing all the same Mokuton techniques as the caster. This clone is created by altering the user's own cells with chakra, granting it more endurance than the normal Shadow Clones to the point it simply doesn't disappear when hit by the enemies' attacks. Moreover, since it has the ability to merge with plants and trees, it is also great for reconnaissance missions. They have the ability to travel far distances from the user and are able to communicate with the original mentally at any time.
Domain: Mokuton. Mokuton Ryuuken 'B'.

2. Daijurin no Jutsu (Great Forest Technique)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Mokuton Kekkei Touta
Range: See special! -> 25 m; S-rank Strength
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: Mid -> Low
Special: Strength of wooden spikes depends on the user’s level of 'Wood Dominion'; range is equal to one's 'WD', halved. Main wood beam travels in a straight line, but will split into up to two spikes per use, plus one more each time retrained; however, upon the fourth retraining, chakra consumption will go up by one. Spikes can deviate up to 90 degrees from the main wood piece's travel path.
Description: After a few simple seals, the Mokuton user will changes one's own arm into big trees and use it to extend a large mass of spikes towards their target. Using chakra, the tissues are transformed into trees at the cellular level. Then, by activating the trees, stimulating them to grow rapidly, they lengthen at high speed and fork into many branches. These spikes can act both to impale his target and as a barrier to protect a comrade. Such is the strength of the stakes that it is said to be able to break through defenses of the same Rank or lower than the technique. When the technique is over, the trees fall off of the user's arm and the user will regain the use of his or her arms.
Domain: Mokuton. Mokuton Ryuuken 'C'.

Nature Advantage Active

[DEVIL—]

Fighting a mokuton user in any situation was typically bothersome. The ability to create varying plant life, from shrubs to trees, on nearly any terrain was more powerful than many of the kekkei touta users, themselves, realized. But to dare engage a mokuton user while in a heavily forested area? Well, that was simply considered suicide. In fact, members of this unique kekkei touta were so revered throughout the great nations that a "flee on sight" order was given to all operatives during the Second Great War.

However, Bass remembered everything that he'd learned on his rise to Chuunin. Every strategy and every tactic his superior officers had been willing to share. In the end, it wasn't what blood limit or advanced release you knew; it wasn't how many jutsu you had at your disposal or how many forbidden techniques you'd managed to acquire. It would, at the very end, come down to who wanted it more.

The trap had been set and, fortunately for Bass, the bait had been taken. From the moment she'd revealed her abilities to him (and vice versa), the gears of his mind had been furiously churning at work, hastily processing the information as it came. It wasn't until that wonderful smoke screen, thick and ripe from the burning of wood, erected itself that a seed was planted (no pun intended).

Having removed himself from his aerial companion, Bass was, in fact, on the ground in his approach. The bird, still quite under his control, merely pushed out of the smog and continued on from its respective side as one would have suspected him to do (which, to his fortune, Azami did). It's no surprise that she might've hastily launched an assault at her target's local, as most Kibaku-Nendo were known for staying in flight throughout the course of their battles. The smoke, itself, wouldn't have helped either, more than likely obscuring the creature's full details (and thusly any passenger's, as well) for several seconds after its silhouette breached the veil.

Coming in from Azami's opposite side (hence the "mirroring" of the birds), all but appearing there (2m), the young Kusa-nin wouldn't have known what hit her. The pair of kunai Bass had been holding shot across the short gap like bullets from the barrel of a rifle, one for each thigh just above the knees (from a side profile). The sheer force he'd released them with would've been more than enough to bury them to the hilt, sending a crippling pain both up and down the appendage. Walking, to say the least, would be almost impossible.

With the sudden loss of balance more than enough to completely disrupt her pin-point assault on the owl, this only aided in its "escape." Despite being formed of clay, the creature retained an outstanding sense of high mobility and speed. In the end, it would have been more than enough to simply tilt away from the assault, almost as if to roll off to the its left without losing even an ounce of momentum. Its target? None other than the clone, of course.

Having remained immobile (the clone), the bird-- having reached top speeds --would've simply crashed into the wooden construct. The force of the impact would've sent both careening through the earth for several moments. Needless to say, it was far more than required to "disperse" the clone.

Meanwhile, the previously released insects were already looming about where Azami more than likely had fallen. Their haunting "bzzzzZzzzz" was a prelude to a gruesome end, albeit a quick one.

"I told ya that ya picked tha wrong one, mon." Bass would say, his face more disappointed than illuminated with the pride of victory as most shinobi would be. He'd stay a comfortable distance from her (2m), still not willing to trust even a downed Mokuton user. "Ya can't just go attackin' people from otha' villages wheneva feel like it."

Noddin' his head, several of the bees would lower down to her, resting on her body. "What's ya name?"

SPOILER: Click to show

¹Kibaku-Nendo • C1 Shī Wan (Exploding Clay • C1): 1 out of 12 (current).
²Shunshin no Jutsu: Revealed from last post.
³Kibaku-Nendo • C1 Shī Wan Tora Nigeru (Exploding Clay • C1 Getaway Bird)

[--Megumi--]

Everything I had done up until now was orchestrated perfectly; however not as flawless as I would have liked. Despite that though I still had a chance. All it took was to make him falter, erect a wall, and make my escape. In theory it sounded absolutely brilliant. Even if his explosions would go off, the wood barriers I would summon would halt some. And nature? Ha. I had become the conductor of that as well. I would close the forests of Kusa no Kuni around me, grow the grass ten feet tall to block his path, and leave a trail of flowers as my way of saying farewell.

However in all my effort something still felt off. In my gut I could feel it, sense it, and quite frankly, in that instance I was anxious. Sound of movement, the slice of wind, and then a roaring pain; it all happened so fast. My legs were engulfed in a flame as they buckled beneath me. My wooden beams splintered and derailed from their path. And the worst part was, it was not my opponents scream to echo through the endless beauty of the blue sky. It was mine.

From the ground I watched, now with better vision with the mostly dispersed smoke that the owl was, indeed, on its own. The boy was no longer there. The clay creation hit my ever-beautiful creation and the two went gliding across the ground in a deadly impact. My clone exploded outwards into an array of wooden splinters and spikes while his clay owl became mangled and broken. It should have been him that was mangled and broken as well. It just was not fair!

My eyes watched the clay insects, their sound making me cringe. I did not want to imagine myself being torn to shreds, the victim of one of his violent and utterly disgusting explosions. I could NOT be a part of something so sloppy. However that was not my choice. I was not in control anymore, in fact, perhaps I never was. That is what, I think, had me the most frightened.

My brilliance, my talent, my mastery had always been my strength. Had I been such a fool that I would let that turn into something as so unappealing as arrogance?

"I told ya that ya picked tha wrong one, mon."

Despite my situation, I could not help but glare at the boy. He was smart, however, to keep his distance. He was in MY territory now, and if I knew that I could approach him silently, I would have the forest behind him converge inward and skewer him. We would both die, but to me I would win. Unfortunately, what ifs never did anyone any good. All those who died could easily say ‘if I had thrown this kunai sooner’ or ‘if I would have just dodged a millisecond quicker’. Why had I become one of them?

"Ya can't just go attackin' people from otha' villages wheneva feel like it."

I felt as though I should say something in my defense, but instead that dreadful buzzing drew my thoughts and my attention rather than the dull boy in front of me. Those disgusting things came closer and closer until they landed on me. I could feel the shudder, one that would be quite obvious, ripple through my body. Indeed there was fear there, but most of all, disgust. I wanted nothing to do with these vile clay creations. All the artistic flare I had first admired upon his arrival had long but died.

Then he asked my name.

I was surprised. I did not think people still had such a common courtesy as to ask for another persons name, let alone that of an ‘enemy’. I found it odd, nonsensical, but oddly refreshing. However, I did not want to speak with that boy. I could not run from him, his kunai causing my legs to become nothing more than jelly. The crimson that poured from them frightened me. But in the same sense, they reminded me of my dear sister and her blood red eyes. If Hisa had been here, as she should have, we would have demolished this boy. But, she just had to go and leave me—

“Azami.”

I still did not want to tell him my name, but something needed to be done to avoid thinking about that part of my past. The rage, the anger, it was so unbecoming. Not to mention, one wrong move or outburst and I was dead. A Queen needed to know how to be diplomatic and preserve her life for as long as possible. That is all I had left now.

“Kobayashi, Azami. Kusagakure no Sato shinobi. Pleased to make your acquaintance…”

When had I become so weak…

[/blockquote]

[DEVIL—]

The truth of the matter? Bass had no intention on killin' the girl. Though he'd been pressed into situations like this before, where the hard choice had to be made, he truly wasn't fond of killing women. Somethin' about it just didn't sit right with him. Some blamed it on his age, saying he was too young to truly understand that it was their life or his. Others argued he was raised properly, and even though they were ninja, the art of war was a man's game -- likewise, its consequences one-sided and reserved for them, as well.

"Ya lucky that ya got such a pretty name ta go along wit that pretty face, mon," he snorted. "Otherwise--" he let his words drag along, before abruptly snapping his fingers. "Boom! Ya woulda been blasted out of 'ere, ya feel me?!"

Stepping closer, Bass crouched down by the wounded girl's side. "Now, dis gonna hurt a good bit, but I can't tend ta ya wounds with tha kunai in." Carefully, he wrapped his hands around the blades he'd buried in her legs merely a moment ago, easing them out. The pain would be excruciating, to say the least, but it could've been a lot worse. Once it was finished, the remainder of the clay bugs coagulated nearby, slamming into each other to form a single glob of clay.

"Not ta say I dun trust ya, miss, but-- I dun trust ya." Grabbing the glob and stretching it into two slabs, he firmly fastened them about the girl's wounds. "Tha clay will soak up tha blood, and support ya legs. But, if ya give me even a lick of trouble, I'll blow 'em clean off yer body, ya 'ear me?" Presuming she understood, he'd continue with dressing. Wipe the wounds first; bandages second; then the layer of clay, wrapped fully around her leg, for additional strength.

It'd still take her a few minutes, for the pain to subside, and for the ability to walk to return to her. In the meanwhile, Bass took his prize. "In exchange for ya life, miss, I'll be takin' ya head band. It'll be easier to get in to ya village that way and check up on ya," he said while snatching the fabric from her. He was sure any protest would be silenced by the reminder of her legs, and how easy he could clear five meters and rip from this world. "And, ta top it off, I'll be havin' a kiss! Not every day ya run into such a pretty little lady, y'know?"

Again, before she could protest, she would feel the boy's lips roughly-- and perhaps messily --pressing against her own. And then, just like that, he was up and all but skipping away. "Don't'cha be worryin' that lil' head of yours, either. Once I'm out of range, tha clay won't be explosive anymore! Maybe I'll see ya again, sometime soon!"

It'd only be a matter of seconds before he vanished into the brightness of Tsuchi no Kuni's barren terrain, bringing forth another bird to float effortlessly into the sky.

[--Megumi--]

I flinched when he said boom. I could not help it after all. His attacks were violent and unpredictable, so how could I know if he was merely toying with me or being serious? However he seemed to be showing me pity. I hated that. I did not want pity from anyone, especially this boy. But, I needed to eat it up, chew it slowly, and digest. I needed to use this to my advantage; otherwise it would be just as he said. Boom! I would be blasted to bits. Sadly, for him at least, that was NOT in my plans nor was it my fate, after all I had a future waiting for me.

“Thank yo—“

The words I tried to speak fell short after his. The pain came back, but unlike before, it was not tolerable. Idly, in the back of my mind, I could not help but wonder what motive he had for doing this. Last time I had checked, ninja from other countries did not help those they had beaten. Again, it was a refreshing sight. But these thoughts of mine were drowning in my own scream. My body writhed beneath him, his handle on the kunai in my legs, though delicate and careful, still sent that flame, though now an inferno, through my body. I wish I had passed out.

In my uncontrollable rage of pain I had not noticed the bugs leaving me and smashing together to form one large glob of clay. It was not until the kunai had been fully removed that I even dared to glance over towards him. He said he did not trust me, as he should not. I still did not trust him. But despite that he started to clean my wounds and dress them. The pain was still there, but nothing like the pain he had given me while removing the blades. Instead of bandage though, he used clay instead. It made sense, but I was lightheaded. Not just from the loss of blood but from the anxiety of being blown to bits.

Again I was to try and say thank you, but I found myself choking on my words. He ripped my headband from me, not that I cared. I was used to a different headband anyways. However, it would be quite a chore to get a replacement. But a prize for him to gloat about sounded like something I would have done as well. But I did not like the sound of him strolling into the village to check on me. Why would he even want to? Why would I want him to? Drab like him did not belong in something as beautiful as Kusagakure.

“Boy, why would you even attempt such a thing? Check up on me? You realize that—kiss?!”

This clay-wielding boy had yet again found away to silence me. He surprised me left and right to the point I was not even sure I could ever regain control of the situation or myself. It was so disheartening. I wanted to reject the poor thing and his attempt, but the clay on my legs reminded me that if I did, out of spite, he might indeed send me back to Kusagakure with no legs. I believe the term for this would be grin and bare it, but I did not such thing. A scowl clearly went across my face before his lips met mine in a rough, albeit messy kiss.

I wanted to spit in his face.

Despite myself, I could feel the heat of a blush coloring the normally milky white features of my face and I mentally cursed him for it. But as quick as he had initiated it, he was up and gone. As soon as he was, I back to my feet, with a hobble, then had to catch myself before I stumbled over and back to the ground. However it was good to hear that the clay would lose all of its explosive properties once he was out of range. That also was a good tidbit of information as well for the NEXT time that we met. I would not kill him, no; I did have some compassion for mercy within me.

“Of course! I will look ever so forward to it, boy!”

The sarcasm was there, but I knew he knew I would not try anything. Not now. How dare he do this to me, belittle me like some common form of person. I was better than that. Even with this loss, this utter embarrassment I would see my future, my given right, bestowed upon me. I would not let people like him take that away from me.

Next we meet boy, I will show you just what a mistake it was for you to humiliate me.

[KEITH]

+50 @ azami
+40 @ genbu