Darkness and Light

[Happiness]

Kirigakure No Sato, the Village Hidden in the Mist within the Land of Water. It's history wasn't the brightest but it had certainly taken a different course throughout the years. In the history books was the time of the first Shikigami, Konan the angel who protected her "god." And from that point, several people who also had the same clan technique began popping up from obscure regions around the world. The Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, etc. And together they came to reunite in honor of their founder, the purple haired angel. And thus a long line of ancestry leading down to the birth of Suzuka Shikigami. Many of the physical traits were lost with the girl, but she retained the blood of the clan and the pride of the Shikigami.

Enrolling in the Academy, she graduated on time without any extra hassle attached. She was a good student, doing exceedingly well with the ninjutsu portion due to her natural talent for it. Although she lacked in the written parts of everything, she still managed to escape the academy and gain the forehead protector that was just so coveted by the students withing the academy. As she got it, she finally felt happy and accomplished. It was her goal to become a Kunoichi for all to look up to, especially among the female kage who had sprouted up from seemingly nowhere.

But it wouldn't discourage her, she was too extraordinary for that. If only others agreed...enter Suzuka Shikigami!

---

"Ugh I wish I could find just one person who'd like to be on my team!"  I truly was upset, too, at the fact that it seemed like I would never be able to find someone who would deal with me, and make a team with me. Along with that it seemed that the number of Jonin in Kirigakure were gone, and I was wondering what the hell would happen if I couldn't make a team. I'd doubt that they'd let me, a genin, go off on my own to do missions without proper supervision. I snorted and kicked a pebble into the lake I sat in front of, as I felt the moist grass beneath her soft fingers and the slight breeze that blew back my hair.

My grin reached from ear to ear as I relished in the beautiful nature in the country that I was born in and loved. Though a small anger ripped through my body, much like a wildifre, because I was unable to properly show for my devotion. I couldn't collect money for my country, or create larger fame. But I quickly extinguished the fire, and I sighed as I threw myself back into the grass.

Staring into the sky, my face scrunched up in deep thought. "What can I do?! No team...could I get a sensei?" I had heard about some shinobi forming a sensei and pupil relationship in which they went out and did missions together. Although the payout wouldn't be as great, which didn't mean much to her, the experience would be great. I wondered how it would be to work hands on with a Jonin, someone with years of experience greater than my age! Giggling I barely noticed time pass by as I lay there on the grass, gazing into the beautiful sky.

[KEITH]

One should always be careful of what they wish for, for what they think they may want is not exactly it. At least, it was nice to be home. I had spent many years traveling the world; trying to discover what I should do with the powers and abilities I have been granted. I also tried to discover who I exactly was in the world, though a man at my age shouldn’t have still been on that sort of quest. 

Despite me looking like I was in my early to mid-twenties. I ventured through the village, sporting an expensive black kimono, with dark grey floral designs all over with, with a scarlet red obi going around my waist, with matching sandals. The torso section had been opened enough, allowing my mid-chest to feel the chilly breeze of the village to hit me right where it felt the best. Exposing my muscular chest to the elements, towering over most as I had walked passed them until I had stumbled upon an open area. 

There in the distance, I had spotted a young girl as she had taken a backwards dive into the grass. Normally, I would have ignored such a thing, I needed to rest; traveling the world and being the devil himself took a lot out of a person. I felt it was destiny which had been rearing its ugly head again, and I just couldn’t ignore it. I happened to hear what she had been saying to herself, and I just knew it was really meant for me to meet this young kunoichi. 

I entered a three meter range above her head as she laid there in the grass. 

“You know, it shouldn’t be as hard as you make it seem. If you really wanted a sensei, then all you had to do was travel the world in search of one.”

When I had spoken, my voice was deep and powerful, and my chocolate dyed hues looked onward to her, confidently.

[Happiness]

A frowned spread accross my face as the clouds were being blocked out by the shadow of someone walking toward me. I waited patiently until the person stopped moving, before I opened my mouth to speak. However, it seemed as if he had overheard my outloud thoughts. He made it seem as if it would be so easy for me, a mere Genin, to jump around the world and find a sensei. Was he mad or was he mocking me? My hazel eyes connected with his warm, brown eyes as I spoke to him with no hesitation and refused to move my sight.

"Yes, but if only it were that easy. There's only so much I can do as a Genin, it's not like I can leave for however long in search of a master. However, opposite to that, I do suppose that a sensei won't just fall into my lap now, will they?"

My voice was joking at the end, attempting to ease the mood and create a light atmosphere of conversation. I wasn't really in the mood for a verbal argument. A nice debate might be nice but I was in a surprisingly great mood. It was probably the post rain atmoshphere that most found dreadful. I actually found it quite comforting, succeeded only by the actual rain itself which always placed a smile upon my lips. Losing myself within the beautiful day I nearly forgot I had a visitor with me. Leaning my body on my elbows I lifted myself up a little bit.

"So, anyway, how is your day going? Aside from listening in on my conversations," I joked with my fellow Kiri-nin.

[KEITH]

Chocolate hues had lain softly upon the kunoichi before as she had spoken, talking about what she couldn’t do because of the title she currently had. The youth of the world didn’t know how powerful they really were, letting the title dictate what they can and cannot do. But, at the same time, it does establish order among the ranks, and let people know who is in control, and those of the lesser ranks positions.

Once she would sit herself upon her elbows, I remained standing up over here as she had questioned me about my day. My sight would then advert to the sky above us, looking deep into it before answering her question.

“My day has been fine, I suppose. Nothing too spectacular has happened. And, how about yourself, young one? Besides searching for a mentor.”

I began to move toward the ground, though keeping my distance from her. I sat upon the ground with my legs folded, and my hands placed upon the ground to support my back as I leaned back to view the sky again.

[Happiness]

I closed my eyes in earnest concentration, thinking about his question. It was a question often involved in small talk, but I really didn't want to give him a shallow, banal answer. I wanted to give him a well thought out answer, not simply that I was 'okay' or something to a similar extent.

Because I closed my eyes I heard the soft touch of the grass as he walked a little past me and sat on the ground with me. Letting a smile crack on my lips, I blew out an exhale and opened my eyes. Turning my head to him I smiled as I spoke, "Well I've been pretty good, I can't complain. I have parents, a bright future, and my Kirigakure shinobi," I was pretty satisfied with my answer, it felt right.

While I finished I threw myself backward into the grass and sighed contently. Life truly was good to me and, though I purposefully didn't mention it, I was also blessed with a special type of ninjutsu that only a select few people had. The Shikigami jutsu wasn't very well known and it was rather rare to find in the world and it made me very proud. Grinning I looked over at his warm, brown eyes I wondered what he was thinking.

It was funny to me that we both could simply relax on thr ground, without any worries in the world. I knew there was a time when every nation was on guard and always worried about attacks. But yet here we were, chatting away and enjoying the peace. I smiled and glanced at the sky before awaiting his answer.

[KEITH]

“That is pretty good; you are probably only one of the few people in this village or even the world who could say something like that. I myself am without parents, and only recently returned to the village, so I don’t know how everyone will take a liking to me now. And, well . . . My future will always be bright.

Despite those other things, I—along with others, are able to be happy with life. But, I guess I am talking too much. It’s nice to be able to relax from time to time, though.”

And I was being honest with myself, despite whatever I wanted to achieve or do with my life, despite how evil my intentions may be, it was always nice to have a bit of R&R. I guess that is why I returned to the village after all, it was here that I felt that I didn’t have to worry about much in the world. Well, perhaps I had to worry about facing Akira eventually, but that could wait.

I am sure the ANBU had already notified him of my return, and if he wanted to see me, he would have retrieved me by now. The kunoichi I had sat with seemed like a bright young girl, I wondered why it was hard for her to find a mentor. Were the others too busy or were all the team slots filled up? It made no sense, and though I had just returned to the village a few days ago, it seemed like I would be eventually taking up another under my wing.

Well, that was if she would have me to be her mentor, that is. My vision came down from the sky and sat upon the female before me, another thought had come across my mind. I could have been a make or break decision for me to not offer my help to her, dependent on her answer.

“Tell me . . . What made you decide to become a shinobi?”

[Happiness]

I couldn't help but feel the blood rush to my cheeks as he seemed impressed with my answer, though I doubted that I'd be the only person in the world to answer in such a manner. There were people like me all around the world, the problem was finding someone who appreciated what they had as much as I did. The finding of such people was simply rare and uncommon, I assumed. So I simply shrugged as I turned my face, so that he wouldn't see my embarrassed expression. 

But his reply turned to a more sour note after he adressed her comment, and I frowned. Getting up I strided over to him, slowly, before stretching my hand out to him. The gesture was to help him off the ground; I didn't really want to continue the conversation while we were sitting. After we both got up, I'd then began to walk and think before commenting on what he had just said.

"I'm deeply sorry to here that," I said because it was true, I had no idea how that felt "but take a liking to you? Anyone would be lucky to be able to sit down and talk to you so I wouldn't worry," I was trying to console him, but I had no idea how that'd work out.

He didn't seem like someone who wallowed in his own despair, but looks could very well be deceiving. So I smiled as we walked, before stopping in the middle of a cliff that overlooked the actual village. I couldn't help but admire the beauty that was Kirigakure no Sato the village that could be considered the greatest of the great nations.

I had purposefully waited to answer his question, because it wasn't something that I thought about often. My back turned to him, I collected my final thoughts into one answer that I felt like I was okay with, though I wondered what he'd think of it.

"To be honest I have multiple reasons upon which I wanted to become a shinobi. The first was simply to serve my country and my Mizukage. However, there are other reasons that are slightly more important to me. One of the larger ones is to restore the name of the Shikigami, my clan. There aren't many left of us in the world and I don't want our name to fade into obscurity. And the last, though I feel it's doubtful, is to become Mizukage one day and give back to my country as it has given to me." My miniature speech left me breatheless and, having spilled my inner secrets to him, embarrassed deeply. I refused to look around to see his face, or to let him see mine.

[KEITH]

The young kunoichi had risen from her seat before responding to my response, thoughts wandered through my head as she made her way over to me. Once she had reached me, she extended out a hand to me, to help pull me up off of the ground. It was a bit weird to me, such a small girl tried to help a big guy like me off of the ground, but never the less, I went along with it; mostly rising up to my feet on my own.

We then started walking together; side by side. It was at this time she would take her chance at replying to the words I had said, response to her own original statement about how she felt. When she said she was sorry, I knew that was going to cause her to think about me and my own life’s pain that I had experienced over the years. A man my age, with shinobi parents would have probably been dead by now anyway or at least on their deathbeds. But, I didn’t really look that old, probably not that much older than this girl.

She showed pity upon me, or it appeared to be pity, as she tried to console me, despite it not being needed. I wasn’t a miserable man, nor was I depressed about anything that had transpired in my life. Everything that happened was for the best, from killing my own father to my mother dying of natural causes—old age. Other than that, my relationship with my fellow Kiri-nin was fine, and even if they didn’t like me now, it was my fault for leaving, I choose that path.

Besides, I was a manipulative-likeable person, so I could surely win back their praises with time. As we would approach a cliff that had a great overview of Kirigakure, she would proceed to answer my question about why she wanted to become a shinobi. I tried my best to listen to everything she had to say, so that I had a good understanding on it before I would pose my offer to the kunoichi. Why she wanted to become a shinobi was pretty interesting—I had yet to meet a shinobi who fought for the sake of their clan, bloodwise.

“So many reasons for becoming a shinobi and you have yet to find a mentor . . . I cannot allow a shinobi as yourself let their determination and drive go to waste. So, what if I took you under my wing?”

[Happiness]

I blinked in surprise as my face took on a new form, the blush all but gone from my face. He had asked to be my mentor out of nowhere, and I was incredibly shocked. We had just met and he had sprung the question on me as if we'd known eachother for years. Although...in my heart I knew it felt right, it was meant to be. Us meeting, our talk, even his asking to be my sensei were all supposed to happen. I exhaled a deep breath before I turned to smile at him. My answer was going to be the same, but I was looking forward to a little fun. I knew he was stronger than me, but I didn't exactly know by how much.

"Well, what's the point of having a mentor that isn't vastly stronger than me?" I asked and grinned at him, before initiating four handseals. 

"Ninpou: Pepa Tenshin no Kami!" I cried out as paper wings formed around my shoulder blades, and I looked at him. This was my favorite form to take with my clan ninjutsu, the look of a holy angel about to deliver holy judgement. "Or something like that," I giggled inside of my head and lost focus for a second.

Shooting up into the sky for a few moments, I would begin another four handseals. Using my paper ninjutsu I would create a simple longsword out of paper. I figured that he would be hesitant to attack me, but I wouldn't allow that. He had to treat me like an equal before he treated me like a student. It was a thing of pride, "Don't take it easy on me, fight me as if this were real. Show me your skills, and show me why I'm becoming your student!" I was invigorated and excited, I could tell that he was strong but now I would get to see how strong he truly was for myself.

SPOILER: Click to show

Pepa Tenshin no Kami (Paper Angel Wings)
Rank: D
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Supplementary
Handseals: 4
Chakra Consumption: Mid x2, Low (upkeep)
Grants the clan member wings that allow them to take flight. The user cannot perform any other chakra related jutsu outside of clan techniques while wings are active. After a few simple seals, the clan member can utilize their paper in order to create a flurry of wings meant for stable flight. The wings created by the user can be be any color, size, and type they wish, and will carry them across even the greatest of distances and chasms - as long as the user has enough chakra to continuously power it.

Kamino Buki (Paper Weapon)
Rank: C
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Supplementary
Handseals: 4
Chakra Consumption: Mid, Low (optional)
One of the most basic Shikigami techniques where after handseals the user forges with paper a weapon of their choosing. This allows for a variety of tactical movements during battle, supplementing the clan member's close range combat.

Note: Weapon must be an existing overview weapon in the index and can never exceed two times the dimensions of said item. The weapon must remain in contact with the Shikigami at all times, or it will return to its normal state of paper. For an optional Low chakra cost, the user can turn a created weapon into another weapon.

[KEITH]

“Oh my.”

Before I had known it, the entire situation had turned into something that I hadn’t expected, not even in the least bit. Though, the unexpecting things were the most exciting, after all. She wanted me to prove the distance in power between the both of us, and ultimately see where she had stood to me. I couldn’t blame her, though; you couldn’t get that much stronger if the one who trained you wasn’t better by leaps and bonds.

She strung together multiple seals, and before I had known it, she was air bound with paper wings and a paper sword. So, this was the power of the Shikigami clan? It was about time that I got to experience something new, and ultimately, how to defeat it. But, it was just paper after all, how strong could it really be? I did possess Yōton on my side, if that meant anything to Shikigami.

“Well, come at me and I will show you.”

I spoke in my deep and powerful voice, waiting on the girl to make her move. She had been up about ten meters in the air, and three meters away from me (I made this the distance since you didn’t state it). I prepared myself physically and mentally for her assault, I had planned on just simply showing her how she couldn’t even touch me. And maybe, one day after all her training, she could come close to it. That alone would speak of my training methods.

[Happiness]

My morale was slightly damaged as the man didn't seem the least bit worried about me nor my abilities. And I was almost certain that he had never witnessed a jutsu quite like this. Frowning I decided that I wouldn't allow him to faze me in the slightest, I had to attack without remorse. Using my wings to fly toward him, I kept my paper blade at my side to deliver a horizontal slash. I wasn't necessarily sure what I would do next, especially with my hands preoccupied by the sword. If I had made something else I could probably have been sliding through my zodiacs for another jutsu.

"Well, I can always bank on the fact that he's not attacking. I can get a few free moves out of that," I thought to myself, and it was a bit of a relief.

Though a part of me boiled at the fact that he wasn't going to take my efforts seriously. It reminded me of a baby attacking an adult, with the adult just laughing and pretending it hurt. But that bordered pride, which was a big aspect of my weakness. I needed to realize that overcoming my weaknesses was necessary in order to become a great shinobi. But first, I had to finish this little ordeal and begin training with the man I would know as sensei. And so there I was, descending down to him diagonally at the pace I would running on land.

"Here I come!"

[KEITH]

I remained focus upon the kunoichi as she would make her advancement toward me, flying down diagonally at me. With her paper sword in hand, I had known that I would be expecting an attack with it, unless she would have had something else up her sleeve. She would come in swiftly, and like the veteran shinobi that I was, I was prepared for her, though, unfortunately her attack was too noobish to actually land upon me.

When she was within striking range of me, I simply leaped backwards out of her range, and continued to move back to create more distance. Initially, I would have moved back ten meters, though if she had decided to pursuit me, then I would continue to move back to keep the distance. A playful smile would come across my face, as my left hand had risen up to her, gesturing her to come on and keep attacking me.

“Show me what you got.”

[Happiness]

My attack was useless and he dodged with no effort, as if someone had thrown a ball at him. He wasn't in a fight, he was having sport. The difference between our powers were like the difference between heaven and earth. He was having a fun little time with a toddler, while I was fighting a God. I gritted my teeth with anger as the realization set in. Dispersing the sword with my wings, I had to think. He taunted me and I nearly fell for it, but I had to show him that I was smarter than that. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and began rushing through my hand signs. 

Taking pieces of my paper body, I formed them into shuriken. Backing up three meters, I sent them at him from a total of 15 meters, before I went back to my handseals. Simple paper shuriken wouldn't do anything to him, he could easily destroy them to evade them. But I wasn't going to let him get away with that, he'd get more of a challenge from me than he really expected. I finished my seals and ended on tiger, with a construct of wind forming.

"Fuuton: Kaze Dangan!" I called out as I sent a wind bullet toward him, though I didn't care that I may have not aimed amazing. It didn't matter, I just needed the wind bullet to increase the speed of the paper shuriken. They would now be deadlier than usual, prepared to slice up everything in their path.

[Bit]

+70 hap
+60 Hasha