autumn solace (blanche)

[Apple]

I still lingered on the topic of forbidden techniques within my mind. Of course, I was hoping that he only had interest in the most basic of kinjutsu as I had no interest to see Akatome too sucked in to the same whirlwind that I currently revolved blissfully within. Such techniques, even though when not meant to be destructive could prove dangerous to those who harnessed them simply because of how they could react to having such newly found privileges over average shinobi. Although I spoke with the tongue of a hypocrite, power changed people. And perhaps that was why I wanted it so badly. The war couldn’t have left him as pure and innocent as he’d been before it had corrupted our village and everything within it and although he outlined one event during his past which had resulted in his promotion to chuunin, I was aware that other things had surely also happened. From what I could gather from how he was acting at the moment, he didn’t seem much changed from the same Akatome I’d chased playfully around my family home, but I couldn’t be too sure as of yet. It wasn’t that I trusted him, but I figured he had his own demons to chase down from the first shinobi war. We all had, perhaps Ue more than either of us.

I wasn’t sure.
I just hoped he was okay.

”..I know much of kage bushin.

Unfortunatley, I have yet to learn it myself."

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It was a strange concept to not know it but I wished to attain my jounin status first.

"There are certain ranks than one needs to attain to learn it. And unfortunately, as chuunin neither of us qualify to learn such a technique- Even I, as Kusakage.”

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It was very strange actually. However, despite the fact that I clawed at any inch of techniques that held high potential alike Kage bunshin, I hadn’t the means to promote myself. I hoped that my days as chuunin would soon come to an end and I could be presented with the even more respectable title of Jounin, which could give me even more things to do within the village- Not that I already had free reign over the place due to my title as kusakage, of course. I was sure that this would disappoint Akatome to some degree given the interest he’d shown, but even I couldn’t bend certain rules. However- his reason? Because he’d seen enemy shinobi using it during the first shinobi war. Of course, that was a good way of gauging exactly what power it had, but I trusted Akatome enough not to want to learn the technique for the sake of repeating such actions against Kusagakure. With the same soft yet solemn smile on my face I’d then move about a little bit, my legs stretching somewhat as moved to the opposite side of the bridge that I’d previously been at, watching as the stream lay partly covered with the autumn leaves which currently claimed the place as theirs. Holding my gaze as he spoke of another kinjutsu, one that I was more than accustom to by now given that two of my aquaintances had been gifted such powers, the smile would slowly turn in to a smirk as I’d turn back towards him. ”..Hiraishin?” I’ inquire.

Of course, I was simply asking. He hadn’t named said kinjutsu but by the way that he explained it it made it pretty clear which one he was speaking about. Had he even known the name? If he sought after it then I’d have expected so, given the amount of information that can be read in books. Having not finished studying various types of shinobi techniques I’d managed to come across the kinjutsu, it having come up several times in the books that I read- Not deeply of course, but little tidbits that could be placed together to reveal the nature of the technique. But- Nothing was ever explained in detail of course. It gave a rough idea of what the technique did, but not the technical side of it, which was understandable seeing as it was an ability sheltered by those who owned it. Was he truly interested about going after that? ”I’ve read many things about it; It seems like a pretty efficient way to get around.” I’d say with a grin- was it this that aspect which lured him? Or was it the sheer fact that it was an incredibly useful ability in battle?

”Who knows; Perhaps my little cousin will become a hiraishin user?”

Of course, the idea of it seemed obscure but given that I knew two people who shared the same fabled ability, I wouldn't be surprised if there were more. Where my own ability came in to play, I knew on one who possessed it.

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[Yahiko]

"...I see. Well perhaps the both of us can take our test to rank up together one day. I'm sure that a couple of Kikkawa's can handle just about anything."

Odd, he thought, that Blanche, too, was barred from learning the jutsu regardless of her title as Kusakage. Did she have superiors? Was the title of Kage not supreme? Evidently, it wasn't. Even so, this did mean that perhaps the two of them could take their Jounin Exam together which would, admittedly, be quite something. Akatome could imagine it - the last, perhaps, of the Kikkawas battling a pack of grizzly bears or, or infiltrating a Hidden Village or anything, really. Something in Akatome yearned for this simply to impress his older cousin - to show her how much he'd grown and how talented he was. Obtaining the title of Jounin would surely get the job done. Though, the title was nothing compared to Kage Bunshin.

That was the real prize.

Hiraishin. Yes, Akatome nodded in confirmation. A name worthy of such a jutsu, literally meaning "Flying Thunder God." "Oh Blanche, it's far more than a way to get around." he said, closing his eyes and shaking his eyes with a smirk. "You could be anywhere one moment, then somewhere else the next. You could pull off an assassination in one country before signing a treaty in another and still arrive early to a mission briefing. And coupled with Kage Bunshin you could literally be anywhere and everywhere at once..." the excitement began to rise in his voice as he spoke but then he paused and it calmed back down to normal.

"...you'd be treading in God-like territory, wouldn't you say?"

[Apple]

As he then went on to speak of the Jounin exams and suggested that we both take it at the same time, I could only but smirk at this possibility, although at the moment I thought it impossible. Seeing as I was the one who was meant to form the jounin exams given my status in the village, I was unable to place myself in one of my own devised plans as it would undoubtedly give me an edge. I doubted that I’d even be allowed to enter an exam of my own creation, really. It would be better if an outside influence created one- the Daimyo for example. But that could be pondered about later in time. If needed I’d gladly send Akatome along with other able chuunin to such missions without myself being in the games- I was sure that I’d have a chance to gain promotion some day, and I wasn’t going to hold them back so that I could enter myself. What selfishness which had past enveloped my being had slowly unravelled over the past few months that I’d been Kusakage. Perhaps it was the fact that instead of the past few years where my actions had been solely for myself, I had hundreds of people to look after now and take responsibility for.

However, it wasn’t my cousin’s interest in becoming jounin that took my attention at the moment as that was understandable for any shinobi. Promotion equalled success, and I didn’t know of any people that didn’t want that. It was instead the captivation that he showed when it came to the forbidden technique of Hiraishin. It was no doubt that he’d choose to go after it some day if he continued to show this much interest in it, and although I was unsure of what exactly trying to gain the precious technique required, I was concerned as I didn’t want his dream to be the death of him. Tsukune and Sora had managed to come back from such training alive, but as far as I knew there were dozens upon dozens of other people who could have lost their lives chasing it. I didn’t want him to become one of them. With my eyes still focused on him as he’d speak, I’d take in the things that he said and the way that he had said them. I too, alike him after learning about the technique had been interested in searching for it, but I’d had other things to concern myself with at the time, and even now I was too busy to do such things. I couldn’t remember how long it had taken me to train edo tensei to its full capability as there was no sense of time in his underground lair, given the fact that there was no natural light. It could have been weeks, month, even years. I wasn’t sure, but I’d managed to leave with more than I’d initially expected. As far as Akatome’s own interests went, I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t slightly concerned- He reminded me so much of myself all those years ago as he finally uttered those words, and I’d be instantly warped back.

"...you'd be treading in God-like territory, wouldn't you say?"



”Sometimes it’s best not to tread in places we’re not meant to be.”

I’d say in a solemn tone. I’d already been consumed by the concepts of power and supremacy and now I could feel it more than ever, standing very aware of the changes. It had given me several things and it had shaped me to be the person that I was today, and perhaps it was just that I was too protective of him, or I didn’t want him to make the same mistakes that I had. I couldn’t just stand back and watch him repeat them. Of course, I wasn’t suggesting that he not go after Hiraishin, but he’d spoken about the ability in such.. a possessive way. I simply didn’t want all it to go to his head as it was easily done. People with too much money often let the idea of it grasp them tightly and it could easily become their own worst enemy. The same went with such dangerous powers. However, lightening the mood once more, my facial expression would turn again, instead a small smile appearing as I took on perhaps a slightly sympathetic look. Shaking my head softly, I'd address him soon after.

”..Just promise me;
Don’t let it get to your head.”

It was a simple request. Perhaps it made me appear as if I knew the feeling more than anyone, but I fully knew how it had effected me and to have him follow in my footsteps.. I wouldn’t be able to live it down. I’d lost Ue to reasons currently unknown but I assumed that he too had embraced power as well, but I waited for the day where I could hear him explain from his own lips. I wouldn’t allow Akatome to follow suit with myself and potentially Ue as well. Not that I wanted him to stay the same Akatome that I’d played innocently with when I was a child, I just didn’t want him to grow up with a skewed sense of supremacy and to slowly turn himself inside out from such a mindframe. He’d already displayed a very detailed need for it and I was sure that once he’d be given such an ability, things wouldn’t be the same, and I could only hope that I was wrong in that deduction. Preparing to speak once more, I'd give him a warning that I'd learned the hard way myself- I was sure I was speaking for several others as I spoke.

"These things will break you without you even noticing.

..So be careful."

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[Yahiko]

"The way I see it, the things not meant for treading are impossible to tread upon." Akatome explained, turning away from blanche and leaning against the bridge with his arms folded atop the railing. "What lies in our reach must be taken, otherwise it goes to waste..." he added as he stared down at the rushing waters that flowed beneath the bridge. "If man wasn't meant to walk, man wouldn't have legs. If man wasn't meant to talk, man wouldn't have a tongue..." he paused to glance over at Blanche, his eyes hardened with resolve.

"...And if man wasn't meant to teleport, there would be no Hiraishin."

It was simple, he thought. He'd always figured if something was possible, regardless of how extreme it was, then there was no reason why it shouldn't be done. His ideas for Hiraishin were, in his not so humble opinion, brilliant. With such an ability in Kusagakure's possession, the village's safety and well-being were sure to become things that no longer needed to be worried about. Kusagakure would be untouchable - much like Akatome. Perhaps this was a bit much to tell Blanche, given that they were just catching up, but this plan of his was something that he had been working on for a while.

"...I'm not afraid."

[Apple]

[OOC: Very sorry! Writers block at the moment! ):]

As I listened to him speak, I understood that he had a point, of course. If we did want things to develop and change then we have to take each and every opportunity that was placed before us, but unlike he who seemed keen on going forwards to take each new step that seemed to pave the way, I had concerns as to whether or not he would allow himself to work hand-in-hand with the ability, not have it simply control him. Such things had consequences that I doubted he could understand. Closing my eyes a little, the burning blue eyes beneath diminishing, I’d then continue to listen to him speak before I’d add in my own input. Of course, I knew that two Hiraishin users for the village wouldn’t be anything less than useful, but it wasn’t the village I was worrying about, it was him. As I opened my eyes once more I caught him staring back at me, and the two of us engaging eye contact once more, he’d add on his effective, albeit dramatic comment about Hiraishin and how if it wasn’t meant to be used, then people wouldn’t have already handled it, and it wouldn’t even be available for us shinobi to learn. I understood that of course, and it did make sense, but too often did such power threaten the balance of people’s lives. How was I to know that the moment he’d harness such an ability, it wouldn’t warp him? He already showed signs of being perhaps somewhat smothered by the idea of the perks that it could bring him.

”I know you’re not afraid.”

”Just don’t get too caught up in it.
I'm not going to loose you or anyone again, Akatome.”

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And at this slightly tense moment I’d then detract my attention away from him, and back towards the scene around us- leaves falling down softly on the floor. I hadn’t seen autumn in the village for so long and now that it had come, I couldn’t fathom exactly how beautiful it was. I noticed how nice it looked in my youth, but then again back at that time I’d taken everything for granted- we all had. Intent on changing the conversation, I’d then turn my gaze back towards Akatome, speaking softly; ”Do you remember.. when we used to run around here playing hide and seek? I was never good at it.” Growing up, I’d been the awkward one in the class. I’d been taller than my fellow students and at age 12 I’d looked more like 15 so making myself seem invisible and small never worked. I’d hide in piles of leaves but my head or an arm would never seem to fit, and the only place where I could hide was behind trees, which I’m sure Ue and Akatome soon caught on to given that I’d used them to hide behind so many times. Sometimes I just wished that I could just turn back time and stay within this forest for the rest of my life, never growing up or changing. It was an obscure thought to have, but things were much simpler back then.
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[Yahiko]

Hadn't they already been lost though? Physically, yes, Akatome and Blanche and possibly - probably Ue were still around, but were they really there? Akatome often questioned his existence during his travels, pondering the idea that he had, indeed, perished with most of the village in years since passed, and now merely wandered the Earth as a spirit. Or, from a less literal standpoint, who he was, his ideals, his dreams and all the things that made him who he was had died, perhaps, leaving him as a shadow of his former self. The latter seemed more plausible, however Akatome has learned that really anything can happen.

Admittedly, Akatome was glad that his cousin had changed the subject. He felt the heavy cloud of depression that had been lingering in his mind begin to disperse and fade away, making way for reminiscent, halcyon thoughts. "Ah, yes." I said, turning away and taking in the surroundings with a blissful, remembering smile. "I was rather good at the game, if I remember correctly." he added whilst placing a finger to his lip in a thoughtful manner. He'd never been sure if he had an excellent eye for good hiding spots or if his cousins had horrible eyes for finding people.

(OOC: ugh short, sorry)

[Apple]

Hm.



”..I miss that.”

With my words short but sweet, I’d then look away from Akatome for the briefest of moments as I instead focused my attention on the abundance of nature around us. By the way that he’d spoken previously I could only guess that he too missed the peaceful days of our childhood where war wasn’t even a thought in our minds. Surely things had been happening back then that showed the signs of war approaching, but being children we had nothing more to care about except for homework in academy. The same soft, poignant smile on my face as I watched the leaves fall, I’d soon turn back towards Akatome in my entirety. He couldn’t have been more different from myself and my brother as far as our appearance went, but where blood was, he were the same. It was so strange- I’d never even thought that he’d even be alive at this point given the destruction that the world had suffered over the last decade, but things worked in mysterious ways, and I figured that was why the boy stood in front of me at the moment, appearing to be as healthy as he’d been in his youth- if not more. I was just glad to see him back home and safe. With my current goal to bring Ue back to the village, perhaps things would be much calmer upon his return.

I could only wonder.

However, as the sun shone down on the both of us through the auburn trees, I’d soon be reminded of my work back in the tower. Shaking my head, I’d then address him again. ”..I’ve got to get back.” saying this, I’d then give him the same smile I’d used only moments ago. ”We’ll have to meet up again soon when I’m free – alright?” with this said, I cemented the fact that I was very happy to see him, and that I’d be more than happy to see him again after this meeting. ”In the meantime; Take care of yourself.” Of course I didn’t doubt that he wouldn’t take care of himself, but I just wanted to make sure. And-

[/i] in order for her to get back swiftly, leaving the young Kikkawa alone in the woodlands once more, only his thoughts and the trees around him to grasp company. She'd be back to see him soon- there was no denying that.

EXIT!

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[Yahiko]

"As do I."

Everything had been so much simpler in the old days. There was conflict, yes, as is the reality of any village harboring an active military corps. However, an abundance of bliss and calm could be found in the youthful back then. Akatome remembered the feeling, and he assumed that Blanche did as well. The generation that followed their's, however, haven't really known the village the way that the Kikkawas had. They grew up in the hell that our village had been reduced to. They hadn't been as lucky as Akatome, oddly enough.

The boy watched his cousin vanish before his eyes after a few parting words, to which he simply nodded and smiled. "Take it easy, Blanche." he said before pocketing his hands and walking away.

( exit )

[KEITH]

+115 @ Yahiko
+150 @ Apple

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