Undisclosed Compound.

[Apple]

"Two days, you say?"

”...You’ll.. be fine.. by then..
..I promise.”

I’d say, again my words partitioned by my work as I carefully bridged the connection between his body and the foreign eye which he’d wanted implanted. Where his old one was concerned; I assumed that there was reason in keeping it. It was only a guess; But as I’d already mused, I was aware that the eyesight of the Uchiha was rumoured to weaken. Should the one I was connecting right now fail, he’d easily have one for backup as I was sure that living with one eye was surely not something which he desired. As I held the eye in my hand with such grace, each part of it stood out to me vividly. It wasn’t long until I reconnected it, and so gently I positioned it back to the empty, gaping eye socket that was on Soratsu’s face. It was somewhat of a disturbing sight to see him in such a state with his own, severed eye lying on the table staring back at me, but I reminded myself that I’d seen worse things in my lifetime. Continuing to reposition the eye correctly so that it perfectly aligned, I’d then call for the same medical technique to gift my hands again, its power radiating from each and every finger once more as I now seeked to reconnect the eye to the cut muscle in the socket where I’d cut the original from. Looking downwards, I took in his advice as both hands held over the location of his left eye. A few long, golden strands of hair falling on to Soratsu’s neck and shoulders as I worked, I’d then toss my hair back as it was thrown in to a golden cascade down my back. With such small but delicate muscles to fix, it took intricate healing but otherwise; it was simple. Of course, out of my own power strands of hair slid back down past my neck but stayed clear of his face.

"Whatever happens, Blanche-- no matter what anyone says, don't let them get into your head. I know how it feels to be in a similar position, stay true to yourself and your village will be fine."



”Don’t worry.
I’ll deal with it if it comes to that.”

I appreciated his concern, and it was clear.

I shared perhaps a bit more enthusiasm towards the determination of the other kage in bringing my village forth in to the shinobi world than Soratsu seemed to show, but then again- I was the one who was directly effected by it. I understood his words, however, as I was sure that someone was bound to rise up and threaten the safety of the village some day in one way or another. But- I was determined to be there for the people and keep them safe. I hadn’t had this much responsibility in years and it felt so different, although even with the complications that I sometimes faced, I felt almost as if it was annulled simply by being there for everyone. The village needed a stable leader, and although perhaps I couldn’t cater to all of their needs, I did my best, and that was the best that the village had been given for as long as I could remember- Never in my past had there been a moment where the leader hadn’t done something that caused mass whispering on the streets of Kusagakure. I wanted to be the one people looked up to- the person who people and children alike could strive to be. Someone who all of the people I'd lost across time could look up to as a hero. I'd make them all proud.

"..Almost.."

I murmured the barely audible word, the soft glow slowly beginning to leave my palms.
Within a few momemts, Etsuko, Soratsu could open his eyes to a world that he could perhaps not have even imagined. With his other eye on the table next to him, I then remove my hands as the glow faded, and brushed my hair after having manually closed his left eye, the anesthesia still at work. Backing away a single step, I'd then wait-

How would he react?

[/u][/B][/COLOR]
> Transplantation complete.

Shousen no Jutsu (Mystical Hand Technique)
Rank: D, C, B, A, S.
Type: Supplementary.
Range: -
Handseals: -
Chakra: D - Low, C - Mid, B - x2 Mid, A - High, S - x2 High. (1 High with mastery)
Special: Heals and counters damage equal to highest rank known. If healing is stronger than the damage taken, remaining 'Shousen' chakra will course through the target's body until more damage is suffered, essentially helping the medic prevent future injury. Cannot be used on a target with perfect health. Aside from s-rank healing, which occurs instantly, all others require one full post to heal.
Description: Shousen Jutsu is one of the most fundamental yet vital Medical Ninjutsu techniques utilized by medical ninja. This technique allows the ninja to heal wounds by focusing their own chakra to their hands, creating a special chakra designed to speed up the body's natural healing process exponentially. The chakra is represented by a faint glow around each of the user's hands, a perfect circle formed around the appendage, with the glow itself letting off a faint, blue hue. The higher the Medic's skill, the stronger the healing process will be. As such, master medics can use their techniques to perform surgeries that otherwise would not be possible.
Domain: Iryou Ninjutsu. [/ul]
[/blockquote][/justify][/size][/font]

[marvolous.]

Blanche's prestige when it came to the medical arts was unrivaled. Even with such a difficult and dangerous task, her work was swift, efficient, and most importantly, painless. I felt my eye being removed, as did I feel the new, foreign, eye being replaced in it's socket; but the feeling ended there. There was no pain-- not even a feint tingling feeling during the entire process. My mind had almost wandered onto other things, unaware of what stage in the surgery we currently were at.

"..Almost.."

I heard the soft reverberation of her voice, as well as felt the light caress of her hands - or her chakra, I couldn't tell - on the surface of my face. It was only for a brief instance, but I knew by its wavering effect that the worst had passed. Opening my other untouched eye, my gaze fell back on Blanche. She had taken a step back away from me, rightfully so, in anticipation of my reaction. I was about to notion her back to me, almost as if I could tell nothing was going to go wrong with the surgery, until I felt the sudden pain ripple throughout my body.

I wanted to scream-- to rip out the very foreign object that I had been so adamant about implanting into my eye, but not a sound escaped my mouth. Instead, as my hand shot up to cup the area around my eye, my body started convulsing. My free hand, having grasped the edge of the metal table I was on, kept me in place as my entire being seemingly continued to reject the implanted body part. This continued for several moments before ceasing all together. The pain vanished too, eventually, and for a brief instance it almost appeared as if I was back to normal.

What is that? I could hear what sounded like my heartbeat. It seemed louder than usual, quite like it was manifesting from within the depths of my mind. It was incessant, and grew louder and louder with each passing moment.

"Move!" I ordered, to whom was unclear. "Go!" Again, I ordered. This time the hand that had been used to grasp the table shot out to push Blanche backwards and away from me. It was clear, then, that I was warning her of what was to come. Blood was already pooling out of my left eye by the time I opened it, unable to bare the overwhelming power that was circulating within it's core.

i.imgur.com/o8DGI.png

[/img][/center]

The energy-- the raw power was released with it's opening. Instantly, in the very same direction I was looking in, black flames erupted out of thin air. It missed Blanche by inches, and had I not turned my head at the last second, would have surely consumed her. Was this really the power of a Mangekyou Sharingan?[/blockquote][/blockquote][/font]

[Apple]

It was complete.

I’d made my final movements and being at my slightly moved distance, I’d push away the table that had his own eye on it, for the sake of him not causing it to topple over should anything happen. Silence covered the compound as I watched his other eye open, grey looking over at me, it gave me some degree of confidence that the surgery had gone well. He hadn’t died during it, but afterwards was a different thing.

But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.

Everything was going so fast, and before I knew it, I had to watch as he continued to lay on the table but now he appeared to be having some kind of fit, his arms, legs and entire body jerking. I had had such high expectations for the surgery- It couldn’t end like this. Of course, I was aware that he’d told me that his body could react to the eye simply to become attuned to it, but the way things were going now it led me to wonder whether or not it was just the eye taking a toll on his body as it readjusted itself, or if his body was rejecting it and reacting badly to that. Either way I simply stood and watched, time slowing down so painfully. Given his current state I was unable to approach him in risk of being injured myself, and I wasn’t sure what his body was currently doing. However- it soon stopped, the whole thing coming to a standstill, such a tranquil one that it simply made me wonder whether or not he was alive. "Soratsu, stay focused!" I roared- Had I inadvertently killed him? Panic overcame me for a moment or so as my blue eyes darted to and from his face to the rest of the body to see if I could find anything that could indicate of his wellbeing. As I stared him down, I soon came to see definite breathing as his chest moved in tune with it but- My doubts were soon voiced by Soratsu himself as he then shouted.

”Move!.... Go!”

”….!”

All I could see was blood as it emptied from his eye like some kind of cascade as his hand burst out from its former position to push me back. While I stood almost captivated by such a sight, at the same time I was aware of the dangers that were posed to me through even so much as being close to him at the moment. Given the unpredictable nature that had befallen him after having received the eye itself I chose to fall in line with his push, myself backing away quite considerably. I knew the place perfectly and so I spared no concerns moving backwards with my eyes peeled on him. As I made for the door, I froze as I watched flames erupt by my side from nothing but the tilted floor below, the boiling-hot temperature radiating towards me. Such black flames were an irregularity and a definite product of the eye that he’d attained, which gave me hope that the surgery had gone well but at the time- I was concerned about the staying power of the flames that Soratsu had previously spoken about. Seven days and seven nights?

In a near-immediate response to the flames having been created out of reach to my side, I then flickered a total of 14 meters in front of me, landing myself at the other end of the room. Given that the compound was created out of four rooms, whilst one served as the foyer, the others joined in a way that each room bore two heavy, industrial doors to other places. As I now stood by the second exit, my hands very much grasping the heavy handle, I waited, ready to slip out when needed. Perhaps it was simply a spur of adrenaline which had taken hold of me, but I was determined not to leave him alone in the room, both for his own sake and the sake of my things not being destroyed, although I bore little things that could help put out such a fire as the one that he had created. I’d watch as silence fell once more bar from the crackling of the pure black flames that seemed to simply continue to burn on the tile. With nothing to consume, it simply stood there, hanging as if it was sustained by some otherworldly presence. As far as the man before me was concerned; I could easily contain him in the room given the qualities of the compound itself, but - how much control did he have over the power that emerged from the eye?

”…Sora..?”

I waited for a response as I waited by the door – I couldn’t tell if it was over yet otherwise.

[/b][/u][/color]

> 8 meters away from Sora.

Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)
Rank: D x2
Type: Supplementary.
Range: 0 - 10 meters.
Handseals: -
Chakra: Low
Special: Despite popular belief, this is not an ability that allows an individual to teleport, or even move incomprehensibly fast. It simply combines high mobility with some disruption of visibility to conceal those movements. That in mind, if you can conceal your movement, it is common for this technique to allow very long-distance dashes before enemies may notice you.
Description: Shunshin no Jutsu is a basic ninjutsu technique used across the shinobi world by all, ranging from the most basic shinobi to the legends of lore. Considered is a high-speed movement technique - to an observer caught in the optical illusion, it appears as if the user has teleported. This allows the user to escape or attack suddenly, should they need to. However, while a high-speed movement, if used in broad daylight, one will still be quite visible and as such, easier to be defended against. In order to achieve maximum effect, the user must to combine it with a distraction.
Domain: Universal Ninjutsu.[/ul]
[/blockquote][/justify][/size][/font]

[marvolous.]

I felt drained, empty. The eye had done more than just manifest black flames, it had also nearly drained my chakra reserves completely, leaving me tired and exhausted. This was nothing like Hiraishin, just keeping the eye active - I wasn't even sure how to deactivate it - seemed to cause me to lose more and more chakra. By the time I realized I was back in control of my new eye Blanche had already left, leaving me alone in the room (Or so I thought).

"Come on, concentrate." I yelled at myself, my hand still cupping my eye. I wasn't sure if I had enough chakra, or if it was even remotely possible to do, but I had to try and get rid of the flames. "Amaterasu!" I tried calling it's name, as if it was some outer deity that could respond to my voice. It didn't, of course, and I was left with only one option.

Beckoning forth that same feeling that had caused the flames to erupt from my eyes, I tried to once again gain control of it's power. The flames grew bigger briefly, but eventually, after several long seconds of focusing, it disappeared all together. Nothing was left in it's wake but the stench of burned tile. Considering the outcome could have been much worse, I sighed in relief.

"Blanche. B-blanche?" I called for her, my mind slowly losing it's strength that kept me conscious. I could feel myself slowly fading, the drain of chakra coupled with the surgery, leaving me with no energy. "Cover the eye. Bandage it, do whatever--"

I collapsed back against the metal table, gone.

[Apple]

Naturally, I’d been watching the entire time.

It was so.. strange. Just to see how his body had reacted to the eye itself. I’d done several instances of transplants in my time but this? I’d never seen someone respond in the same manner that Soratsu had. But then again; It wasn’t simply an arm or a sample of DNA that we were dealing with- I’d heard rumours about the eye itself and I’d read roughly about it during my studies. It wasn’t something average, I knew that for sure. It was something different that perhaps he wouldn’t have managed to attain naturally, so his response, although I was concerned about the durability that the compound itself had against fire, I understood that it was beyond his control due to the fact that it was a fresh, new ability that he found himself dealing with. As I stood by the door, all continued to stay silent before the Uchiha began to speak once more- or shout, his tone rife with perhaps the same sense of concern that I was currently feeling. As he attempted to harness whatever power that had erupted from the eye, I could only watch, having no ability myself which I could use to stop the process. I felt almost helpless in such a situation but I knew that he’d be able to calm himself. He hadn’t contributed to the second shinobi war itself and several other incidents only to die in a room full of his own black flames- Not that I’d let that happen, of course.

On raged the battle between him and from what I could guess were the flames at the other side of the room due to the fluctuating size, and as he continued to shout at himself, I could only watch on as he attempted to harness the potent flames which licked at the floor of the room, the dark, inky flecks echoing through the room along with the quiet, and yet at the same time, such sharp snaps. Within minutes of its birth, the flames soon died down, and I instantly turned my blue gaze back to Soratsu, of whom I could tell easily from the expression on his face, that he seemed close to keeling over. With speed rivalling that of the body flicker that I’d just used to get away from him, I ran forth to his side as he called for me. With the same golden curls bobbing around him, I looked down, my soft voice slipping from between my lips. I’d have reached my destination the moment roughly when he nearly finished calling me for the second time, porcelain skinned hands gently touching the cold metal that he was sprawled upon.

”I’m right here- Stay with me.”

"Cover the eye. Bandage it, do whatever--"

Like a ragdoll, his head fell and his expressions seemed to stop.

Instantly my hands moved for his neck. Gently moving his head backwards I then moved my ear towards his mouth, the same waterfall of gold falling on his neck and chest as I tilted my head to the side. As normal breathing felt humid against my own skin, I then rose, positioning his head back to the position it had previously been in before I’d checked his airway. At least he was alive – The best guess for what could have happened was chakra loss, and if I was correct, he’d be back within a few hours. It was already getting late, he’d surely be back by the morning. Such a powerful technique- It tempted me so much. My mind reminded myself how easily I could rip the eye out from his socket and take his other as well for my own taking. As he lay on the table, appearing lifeless, it would be no effort whatsoever to harvest his body of its blood and the organs which he bore. With a single heavy breath I did my best to suffocate such thoughts and continue assisting him. Moving to the side, I rummaged through my supply of medical items and picked up an assortment of bandages, safety-pins and tape that I could use for him. As I placed them aside, I then initiated a string of handseals once they were free to do so, preparing the technique I used to not heal, but instead clean the area before placing the dressing on it. It would be there for a small amount of time now- But I couldn’t risk getting his eye infected. With it not only being foreign to his body, having it corrupted by dirt, blood and anything else would jeopardize him. I couldn’t afford that.

”..Rest.. You’re safe..”

It was so simple- I was aware that he was unconscious, but it didn’t stop me from caring.

Perhaps I needed him more than I initially thought.

All those years ago I wouldn’t have believed it if someone told me that I’d be still in touch with a man like him. He’d been an asshole- each breath he’d taken was a waste of my own. But at the same time, in a world where death was a day-to-day subject, he was one of the only friends I had. At the same time- due to our affiliation with different villages, I knew that I couldn’t let my mind rule my decisions. Perhaps one day would dawn where friendship would mean nothing. I felt almost weak to consider people as such. Everybody had an opinion and when it came to a life and death situation, I knew that it would become an each man for himself situation. Was I so wrong in this? As I cleaned the location of his left eye, I’d simply gaze at him blankly, my hands glowing with a soft white as I watched on. After this was done, I’d then turn my attention to the mounds of dressing next to me, as I carefully planned out how I was going to go ahead with them. As chakra left my hands, they’d then begin to set at work padding the area of his left eye before wrapping bandage around them to secure it. I was unsure if it would stop the effects of his eye, but it would help aid the healing of the area. Fortunately for himself, being the talented medic I was it would take less time to heal all around rather than if someone else had done it, and at the same time, I was passionate about my work and I wouldn’t let anyone leave before I was sure of their health. It was my duty, after all. Taking a few minutes out to do so and the grey-haired man still out cold but, thank god, breathing, I’d then draw away, to another room.

Emerging again with what appeared to be a blanket and a cushion, I propped up his head over it, and draped the blanket over his form. Being underground it was quite insulated but at the same time, I knew how cold it could get. Once this was done, I’d then take another quick look over the dressing I’d prepared for him before returning everything to their designated places. Taking the scalpel over to the sink, I found myself slipping in to almost a trance like state, engrossed in the crimson that covered it as the icy blue eyes of my eyes lay fixated on it- Before hurriedly running it under the sink and sterilizing it once more. Once I was done in cleaning the area, I’d then pay one more look at the patient, before sitting down on one of the chairs in the room that I’d dragged close to him.

I was unsure exactly how long he’d be out for, but –

I sat and waited, awake in its entirety.

[/u][/b][/color]
> Surgery area sterilized and bandaged.

Seimei no Jutsu (Clean and Pure Technique)
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary / Medical Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Handseals: No
Chakra: Low
Special: Immediately sterilizes a wound in order to prevent infection. Has no effect on poisons or toxins.
Description: The most dangerous thing in concerning medical care is infection of a wound. With this technique, the user immediately sterilizes a wound with their chakra by running their white medical chakra through their hands and then hovering their hands over the patient's body. The wound, now sterilized, can now be bandaged and otherwise healed properly.
Domain: Iryou Ninjutsu. Shousen no Jutsu[/ul]
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[marvolous.]

OOC: Timeskip = Four hours.

My sense of time was off. I wasn't sure if it was because of the foreign body part, or the drain-- but my mind seemed.... off. It felt like my thoughts were never-ending, almost as if I was awake but unconscious at the same time; it was a strange feeling, honestly. Perhaps it was just a dream, maybe my subconscious was trying to send me a message - either way it didn't last long.

Where am I? My mind heeded, disoriented as my eyelids slowly opened and I was once again flooded with light. I couldn't tell just how long I was out for, but seeing Blanche - whom was asleep in a chair nearby - I could only but assume it was early. Had she sat there and waited all night?

Pulling the blanket off my body I stood, careful not to make any sudden and loud movements that would wake her. From there, after stretching my arms and legs, I moved over to where my kimono had been tossed. With a simple gesture I removed a simple pouch from one of it's many pockets, and then placed it on the same metal table I had slept. There was enough ryo in there to fully express my gratitude for all that she had done.

With nothing else keeping me from returning to my village, my kimono was once again garbed and tied tightly around my waist. Taking a step forward, careful not to accidentally bump into anything, I readied myself from what I knew would be a strenuous - but short - trip back to Sunagakure. I couldn't even properly channel my chakra without the sudden throbbing pain within my eye manifesting.

"Shit." I clutched my eye with one hand, using my other to catch my body before my legs collapsed on themselves. Suffice to say, doing so emitted enough noise to wake the deaf. "I hadn't expected it to be this difficult."

[Apple]

.. "I hadn't expected it to be this difficult."..

Reality fluctuated and from the dark room that I’d previously been staring at, my eyes shot open to the same place but this time- to an almighty sound which erupted from somewhere. I’d fallen asleep and now – an attempted break in? As I glided my eyes towards the offender, my mind could be placed perhaps a little at ease. ..Or maybe not. From what I could see from the unfolding scene, it was simply Soratsu who had finally regained consciousness from the chakra loss that he’d suffered from utilizing his eye with perhaps not the same precision as what was needed to make it more efficient. I didn’t even have to wonder if he was in pain or not. Rising from my seat and brushing my blonde hair away from my eyes, I approached him carefully whilst speaking. ”..You know- If you’re not up for the journey you can rest here until you are.” I said quietly- Despite the fact that perhaps my dealings weren’t exactly that honest, especially so seeing as the eye which I’d given Soratsu was derived from a corpse who I had little to no idea about, I wished to give the best service that I could. Having noticed the leathery pouch on the metal table, my mind ached for me to go and grab it and see exactly how much he’d offered, but with goodwill currently overpowering my actions, I’d instead hang by the man’s side, waiting for his response. After all; If anything went wrong- I’d feel it as a disgrace to my medical testimony. But however concerned, I knew that it was natural for the surgery to take its toll on him once the anaesthesia had run out.

And it had- several hours ago.

But- Despite the fact that I offered shelter for him to gain more strength before leaving for his home, I understood that he needed to make preparations of his own for the kage summit that was due to begin within the next few days. I was already ready for him to decline my request given how headstrong he usually was, but I didn’t care. As long as he thought that he could make it back in one piece I’d be happy. The transplant of the Mangekyou Sharingan.. was perhaps one of my most beautiful creations. I’d have hated for it to get tarnished just when it was about to bloom. Continuing to stand beside him as he clutched his eye, needless to say I prepared for the worst- but this time I was sure that the layers upon layers of bandage were enough to keep his eye closed for a while, and hopefully too, prevent any unneeded accidents. The eye was unpredictable enough already with Soratsu’s novice control over it. Musing over it as I watched him struggle beneath the pain, I then crossed my arms. Was he trying to make a break for it before I could see whether or not he was fit to go back home first? Shaking my head at the thought, I’d be prepared to lecture him, my own blue eyes centred on the remaining grey one.

”..Were you just going to leave?! Do you know how dangerous that could be?”

My tone this time was less than impressed, compared to the soft one I’d used previously.
I was sure he was familiar with my changeable moods by now.



”..But regardless; If you’re still low on chakra I can transfer you some.
Just promise me that if you notice any irregularities, you’ll get in touch with me.”

Given my akadou heritage, I could easily seep chakra from each pore within my body if I wanted to, and given that I had been blessed with an exceptionally high chakra pool from Samehada’s ownership, I could easily give away a substantial amount and not feel the repercussions myself. As I stood, my clothing clinging to every curve on my body, I shifted to the left a little bit, moving from foot to foot as I waited.

”And- I’ll need you to come back at a later date as well so that I can check up on it to make sure that it’s healed up correctly.”

I was meant to be one of the best medical experts in the shinobi world, if not the medical expert. I couldn’t simply let my patients leave without being reassured that I could check back up on them at another point in time just to make sure that everything had gone well. I doubted that there had been any problems with the transplanting which could turn in to greater complications in the future, but it was just in case, so that I could easily retrace my movements and inadvertently save him from what could perhaps be a very grizzly death. Lowering both of my hands to my wide hips, I couldn't even begin to wonder what he could do with such an ability on his belt. In some ways I envied him, having already bypassed distractions in my head which desperately called for me to implant the eye in to myself instead and rid all evidence of his bloodied, mutilated corpse- but at the same time I didn't want to give myself that much potential. Although I felt tired as I was at the moment, I felt much more.. at peace right now.

[/justify][/font][/size]

[marvolous.]

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass." Blanche had already done enough for me at this point, asking for her to give me chakra was just too much. I was surprised she was so willing, nonetheless, but there was no indication of such. "I have business in Sunagakure that needs to be taken care of. There's no other way to get to my village in time."

It took me a moment or two, but I regained my balance. Soon after, having let go of my grasp over my bandaged eye, I recomposed myself and looked back at my old friend one last time - I wasn't the only one that had changed over the years, it seemed.

"Do not worry, I'm sure we will be seeing each other soon." I flashed her a light smile and a curt nod, before turning back. "Thanks for everything you've done Blanche." Faster than a blink of an eye, I vanished into nothing.

-- 50,000 Ryo to Apple!

Exit!

[Axcel]

TRANSACTION COMPLETE

[Apple]

His decline of my offer of chakra was somehow.. strange, but I accepted it nonetheless. It wasn’t as if I had a lot to do in the village after all now. It was rare that a fight usually occurred given the peaceful nature of the village itself- which I was very content about- but it was always handy to have a supply at hand in case something was to happen. As he continued to speak before speaking his thanks, I too in return would nod my head to him with the same somewhat glad smile; either that he had survived and I was glad that I didn’t have to bury a carcass, let alone his carcass, or that I was just being polite.

It was a mixture of the both.



”Be careful.”

I knew full well of his disguise – and I reflected on it with those simple words.
Although I was confident in him, he needed to be wary.

And merely moments after I spoke those words, he left.

The entire compound again at a loss with only myself there to With Samehada having boosted my own chakra pool, I felt its influence in my veins, the both of us having stuck together through thick and thin over the years. I could feel my grin becoming warped with the sharklike features of the blade, my teeth perhaps sharpened slightly by having made such a deep connection- Or maybe it was just my imagination as I ran my tongue over my white teeth. With such abilities- my name being a testament to the work of medical shinobi over the years, I could easily do what I wanted to do, and as I stood in the room that held so much potential, I could only promise myself that I’d gather enough ingredients to fill it. Having noticed that the corpse of the uchiha remained on the other table, I sighed somewhat. I hadn’t expected him to leave with his trash, but I wasn’t sure where I could place him. Fading off elsewhere in the compound, I began to re-arrange and sort out the body, leaving the compound itself once I was done with everything. Once everything was prepared, I’d leave.

[/b][/color][/right][/ul] [/justify][/font][/size][/blockquote]

[KEITH]

+220 EXP @ Naga and Apple

[/justify][/font]

[Apple]

I’d come to this place for solace. Perhaps to allow my eyes rest for but an hour or so before returning to the hectic life that being a Kage required. However, I’d only managed to barely make my way through the door when I saw his form glued in place as I turned on the lights to the compound, standing tall like some kind of strange protruding shadow in the clarity of light that I'd blessed with a flick of a switch. Needless to say; I assumed that I’d have to wait longer than I’d initially expected.

Correct.

Time passed slowly, and the compound filled with conversation.



"..It’s understandable.."



"..I can adhere to those terms, Kouketsu."

I spoke, my tone fluid, and if anything, dulled. Raising my arm up, I again pushed my blonde hair away from my face, an action which I was sure that he’d seen me do countless times. The bright, relentless light of the compound hitting against the brilliant gold threads, I too would watch on with light-altered eyes, pupils miniscule but still beautifully crisp against the cool blue that framed them. And I stood- both hands positioned on my hips as I faced him and spoke, framing such goddess-like beauty perfectly. Of course- where it came to the words spoken, it was understandable, and I’d have suggested such terms had he not produced them himself. Perhaps it was this- my desire for power which drove me to please. But at the same time, I was conflicted with the mere concept that it all suggested. Wasn’t it- this. . ..wouldn’t it go against everything which I’d hoped for? Everything that I’d worked on? All that I stood for? I could list several reasons not to, each one detailed and thorough, but at the same time such a gentler side tore its way through, breaking past my hardened guise and lingering above my manual thoughts, provoking me to femininely approach the subject. I voiced my response selfishly as a village leader, and so innocently as the woman who had already lost too much.

I was terrified.

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[NARRATOR]

"Excellent." Though there wasn't a hint of elation in the masked-man's voice, he was genuinely happy that Blanche had come to see eye to eye. Sure enough, the plan wasn't all that conventional... But, it'd only taken a little bit of prying and talking to figure out that it was, without a doubt, what the both of them wanted. Oddly enough, the conversation that had passed also served another purpose:

a new bridge had been formed between the two conspirators, even more prominent than before. Despite all the times he'd talked to Ue, this bit of Blanche's history had been left out of their conversations. Perhaps, even while working with the devil, Ue was thinking of his sister when excluding such a crucial fact.

Surely, her working with him wasn't what he hoped for when he left Kusagakure all those years ago.



Both of his eyes casually admired the "golden goddess's" physique as she basked in the radiance of the compound's lights. "I won't lie and say that I wasn't worried you'd say no, though." The distance between the two of them was comfortable, to say the least. However, it shrank with each and every step that the figure took toward her, though showing no hurry or anxiousness in his steps. "Then again, you're a reasonable woman with a lot to gain. I'm sure you can see how this benefits the both of us, yes?"

His mask tilted. "I told you I wasn't lying when I said that you were probably the most important piece of my plan, Blanche." Chuckling, he glanced up at the ceiling. "Once we've squared this away, and I know you're safe, we will be able to begin everything else."

[Apple]

As a brief silence overcame us both, all that could be heard was the quiet sounds of the active organic preservation chambers in the room, the light within them softly glowing out from the centre, even in the bright light of the compound. I felt at a loss of words, and so I allowed him to speak, my own self held respectably before the man, a hand still carefully placed on either hip. I continued to reel back the plan in my head once more. Was it merely that? A plan? I was torn on attempting to figure out my standpoint on the situation but at the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to say no. I’d wandered for too long and seeked solace for the first time in years, but I craved excitement and that rush from shinobi life, the one that he so promisingly spoke of, and had experienced himself. I wanted to feel earth torn between my fingers and people bowing before my heavenly being, but at the same time, it all felt empty. I stood, continuously conflicted by the thoughts in my mind and the concept of what I wanted. Just what would this bring, not just now- but in years to come? Would it all result in even more destruction?

…No.
I’d make sure of that

..Just what was I saying? I consented myself to his ideas but I wanted it- I needed the adrenaline, the danger, the risk. It came as desirable and as necessary for my survival as breathing. I couldn’t imagine life without it all – It was.. unimaginable now. Wars and time had taken its toll on me and where tranquillity and peace may have ruled my life as a child, now exposed to the true life of a shinobi I wouldn’t have wished for anything less than it as I, fully aware, had overcome my vulnerability. But even now I stood with a slightly flushed complexion as I prepared to respond to him to confirm my reaction. Pushing back blonde hair again, I’d then part my lips, slowly, and so carefully release my voice, allowing the slight silence between us to break so softly as he drew near, my position unfaltering and unmoving as I watched him approach.

”I'm sure you can see how this benefits the both of us, yes?"

A pause, as I gathered my thoughts, and began to move.




”It's not the easiest of things to take to.
..I'm sure you understand.”

Had not so many details been divulged to him a short time ago, I wouldn’t have expected him to understand my concerns about the success of the plan itself. What he was asking was.. painful, or at least, now it was. I couldn’t even imagine it, honestly, the present, the future- all of it. I broke away from the gap between the both of us and begin to walk elsewhere in the room, towards the tanks themselves as I busied myself; my hands attempting to turn the bolts on the side of both chambers, before my head turned back to the Uchiha as he finished speaking, my blue eyes brilliantly clear in the light, and my vision even moreso, allowing me to view the black-clothed man in full.

"Once we've squared this away, and I know you're safe, we will be able to begin everything else."

"..I'm hoping that you've got interesting plans to occupy my time.
I doubt I'd be able to stay sane, otherwise."

Again, a token of perhaps not my irritability, but my inability, to stay still for long, that is. I was born with immense patience but it had dwindled so much during my youthful years, rendering myself with not much now – although I was able to harness it when in situations where it was required, of course. However- even then, I still wished for excitement. I’d travelled so much, done so much, I was a busy woman, and so I couldn’t take to respite easily, or right now it seemed impossible as I had been caught up in so much – my fight with the Mizukage, a meeting with the Raikage and a run-in with the Hokage of the hidden leaf within merely two days. It was remarkable just how much work one could get done in a short space of time, and I was testimony to that. Having apparently watched me, surely up until my return to Kusagakure, I didn’t doubt that Kouketsu himself was aware of this trait within me. I enjoyed having things to do, and combined with the growing need for something more than an average shinobi life, I wouldn’t be satisfied with mere menial work. Re-approaching him, I'd move back to my original position before him.

"What have you got in mind?"

I was straight to the point - and I wanted to find out at least an indication of what he was planning. I was aware of how cryptic he could be, and to be honest, I'd be impressed if he chose to reveal it all to me, although I doubted that much. As I'd agreed to become his aide as so to say, for both his reasons and my own, I expected to at least not be led blindly, especially so now.

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[NARRATOR]

"I'm sure you have a good idea of what I have in my, Blanche." A low chuckle tempered the voice slipping out from beneath the mask, almost dancing to the rhythm of the mechanical hums and chirps of the nearby machinery. "You've done well resurrecting Kusagakure, but there is still much to be done. Needless to say, it's a lot more than simple, mindless grunt work, as well."

Slowly, the phantom began to peel away some of the shroud obscuring his physique. First came of the glove of his left hand, followed by that of his right. If Blanche was expecting scarred, mangle flesh she would be pleasantly surprised. Kouketsu's hands were smooth, lacking any indication of his true age. "If nothing else, your fight with Akira demonstrated that you're a survivor; your will to live is, admittedly, nearly on par with my own. I've never seen a fire burn so feverishly inside another human being before."

Sliding the gloves into a pocket, he continued. "But, even that can be dangerous. While I'm not certain how many of your fellow-- Kages might suspect something between us, your wonderful demonstration did make them aware of the potential that your village has. I hope you weren't fooled by that petty excuse of a summit meeting - you know that you can't trust them, right?"

In the world of politics-- let alone politics in a world ruled by shinobi, masters of deception and deceit --there was no such thing as trust. Before she could answer him, however, he kept on. "Your forces are... scarce and few between. So, I suspect you'll be needing to drive your shinobi to increase their prowess; build yourself an army worthy of defending, and conquering, in the name of Kusagakure and their Kusakage."

"I've already secured us a foothold in the newly reformed Takigakure," he went on to explain with a triumphant tone. "We will be able to count on them, to some degree, when the time comes to reveal our strength to the world."

A hand rose to his mask, and with a faint click, the locks were released. Slowly, he slid it to the side, exposing no more than his Sharingan and the flesh around it.

"Whatever the case... I know you'll be ready."