Athena's Vigil.

[Estilo]

A T H E N A ' S V I G I L

[/i]) who run daily ceremonies within the shrine, and tend to its maintenance. Aside from the routine attendance of these followers, the temple keeps a reputation as a popular tourist attraction during the summertime-- but is otherwise void of any visible human presence throughout the other seasons.[/ul]
INTERIOR

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SPOILER: Click to show

EXTERIOR

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GRAND STATUE OF ATHENA

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SPOILER: Click to show

[/i] away from touching the highest point of the rooftop. This statue depicts the warrior-goddess with sword and shield in hand. The aegis bears the visage of a severed woman's head, her hair a conglomeration of writhing snakes.[/ul]
DISCLAIMER

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[/i]-- consisting of Yukiko Fuyumori, Kai Kage-Hebi, and a potential third member. Until this meeting is over, the locale is private. When all participating have exited, however, this locale is open for all to visit.[/ul]
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[Etherion]

Kai sat upon one of the protruding lengths of stone that made up the sides of the main stairs as he dragged a single whet stone along the length of his great sword. The massive blade called to him and he had a very brief vision in his head about cleaving people in two. His gaze ever so often to the shield that the warrior-goddess held as it depicted the nature of his origin. The Gorgons, Medusa in particular, were said to be the progenitors of the Kage-Hebi descended from the snake women of ancient times.

He felt repelled by this place like a witch from hallowed ground or a lawyer from a blood bank, the building gave off a feeling of hatred and he saw the wary glances the women gave him as they passed. His black scaled marks covering his neck and shoulder now there for all to see as opposed to before when it was still repressed. though they didn't seem to give him a look of hatred till they looked at him even longer, part of him hoped it was the snake's blood he now held rather than his reputation for the massacre, but why should he be ashamed of getting revenge? Sozin is his commander. His friend!

A deeper irritation grew within him as he drove the blade down into the stone with a single crack before using it to hoist him to his feet before pulling it free and hitching it on his back. Who else was supposed to show up here? hopefully not some flake like before.

[Amalia]

Hands clasped together, I walked over to the predesignated meeting place for Team Gunjin. I had just recently asked about joining the team, before being directed to come here at this date. The sky was rather beautiful although that was just a miracle. Usually there were thunderstorms all over, and then the lovely rain would fall. But not today, today the sun was smiling upon me and my comrades. Letting a smile crack my thinking face, I nearly began skipping the rest of the way there. A few foot steps away, I heard some girls whispering to eachother as they walked by.

"Yeah it's him!"

"I wonder who'd want to be on a team with him?"

Blinking, I turned my attention to where they had just coming from. It took me a minute to realize that, that place was where I was supposed to show up. Smiling and walking, I appeared just in time to see a man delve his huge sword into the ground, cracking the beautiful stone, before getting up and taking it out. My eyes widened at the pure power he must have had, before I saw his face. I figured this must have been what the ladies were talking about, his physical appearance. He had several scale like markings around his neck and shoulder, along with black eyes with gold irises. It struck her as rather odd, but nothing that couldn't be adjusted to.

"A-are you from Team Gunjin?" I asked, my voice faltering as my nerves got the best of me. I wasn't nervous, persay, but I was wondering how the people of this team would take to me.

[Etherion]

His gaze shifted across the landscape an irritated scowl tearing his lips as he heard the women walking away. His mark started to pulse with a fiery heat as it spread a few inches down his arm so tempted to tear their bodies apart into confetti. With a low growl he forced the mark back sighing soft he looked at the sky.

As a few birds flew over head he felt an inner peace and blend of himself, flying and bloodshed were the only things he found that brought him and flight was the only one his rational mind found reasonable. His gaze then fell back to earth just as girl came over to him. 'I swear, one more girl asks if im proud of what I did I'll snap their neck'

However that wasn't the case apparently, the girl had asked about his team to which he nodded letting his fire go out. The girl was cute to say the least and her long brown hair and legs caught his attention as he leaned back against the stone he was on previously acting cool. "Yeah I am, can I help you Ms...?"

[Amalia]

I was a little taken back by the rather feral growl that had escaped the man's lips as I walked up to him. It was animalistic and borderline bloodthirsty, most would be intimidated. But then again, most people weren't me. Smiling up at him, I hoped that my soothing prescence would calm him down a bit. He looked at me and sat back down, where he was I she began walking over to him. Grinning from ear to ear, I introduced myself.

"Rosalie Kamizuru, pleased to meet you!" I sounded just as excited as I really was, I hoped he didn't think of me as some hyperactive child. 

Though my height and soft voice could certainly prove that, despite the fact that I was almost sixteen. I looked over the man who would be my partner, and I sensed a rather dark aura coming from him. Feeling an odd sensation run through my body, I realized several goosebumps had made themselves known on my forearms. I stared at him, admiring his rather muscular body. I realized too late that a light blush had formed on my face as I admired his body, and turned my face so that he wouldn't be able to see.

[Etherion]

She introduced herself as Rosalie a member of the Kamizuru clan, that peaked his interest a bit, he hadn't met any of the Bee clan practitioners. His gaze scanned her a little more closely this time looking for a hive. Though her perky attitude brought his gaze back to her grinning face. She was pretty to say the least, a fair tone with deep green eyes that seemed to shimmer like a leaf. "Kai of the Kage-Hebi."

Despite her sweet persona he caught her looking him over, along his arms and torso, no doubt over his black marks too. All-in-all he was surprised she talked to him even if they were meant to be on a team. On his way here Gennin and Chuunin had avoided him completely in either fear or disgust, though he hadn't given it any consideration at the time. Kai caught the blush slipping across her face and smiled lightly. "Like what you see Rose?"

[Amalia]

When I mentioned the clan that I had belonged to he began to look at me rather curiously. It had quickly dawned to me that he was most likely searching for the infamous hive that the members of my clan wore with them, to be aided by bees. I grinned at him as I carefully lifted the side of my dress so that he would be able to see the beehive strapped to my right leg. Though I was careful to make sure that, that was all he could see. My particular beehive was white and rather small sized, so that it was easier to carrier around. He mentioned the clan he belonged to, but I had to admit that I had never even heard of them.

"The Kage-Hebi? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them," I said, my tone apologetic. If they were very well known I was going to feel incredibly inept.

Though a dark feeling crawled up my spine as he asked if I liked what I saw. The blush on my face intensified to make me face just totally and completely flushed. I wasn't that type of girl, but now that I had looked at him like that he wouldn't believe me. I stuttered as I attempted to regain my composure, but it wasn't hard to realize that wouldn't be as easy as I had thought. So, with my back turned to him, I decided to change the subject while I still had the chance.

"It's a rather beautiful day out today odd for the land of lightning, eh?" I asked the man who would from now on be my teammate; Kai.

[Etherion]

Catching his analyzing gaze Rose then lifted the edge of her dress showing him the white hive strapped to her thigh. The black seemed to bleed from his eyes as his gaze shifted back up to her, she claimed to have no knowledge of the Kage-Hebi. That didn't surprise him much after all he only find out about them from having his DNA transfusion which had killed his Zantetsuken genes. Those that thought had the blackness start to seep back into his whites like oil and water.

He then saw the girl becoming flustered over his comment becoming red and almost starting to squeak before quickly turning away looking up at the sky. Again the blackness drained as he watched the girl while leaning back and using his hands for support he looked up at the sky and in the distance from all directions black clouds blotted out the blue while ever so faintly sounds of thunder crashing could be heard. "To be honest I prefer the overcast and rainy seasons, less sunlight."

He hadn't meant to sound dreary though he figured he did, the truth of it was just that he severely disliked light since his operation that had implemented his curse and snake blood.

[Amalia]

He had gotten a nice view of my beloved hive so I quickly threw down the side of my dress so that he, or anyone passing by, wouldn't be able to see anything underneath. The mere thought of it intensified the flush that was attacking my face. I swore that my face would start steaming if I didn't knock it off, so I figured I had to even distract myself. When he mentioned the weather, I figured he didn't understand the meaning behind my words.

"No no, you misunderstand. I do prefer the rains, they're soothing. However, I was referring to the beauty of the sun after it breaks through the clouds after a long period time," I couldn't help but look at him and smile as I explained.

The beauty truly was impressive, like a holy light purging through the despair and darkness. My grin stretched from ear to ear, and I swore my happy energy was shining from me. I loved being happy, and I loved making other people happy. But I figured if I was going to be able to make Kai happy, via being a good member, we should probably turn the conversation sort of serious.

"So, are you a Taijutsu master then?" I asked rather curiously, motioning to the gigantic sword that was a mere few inches in front of me.

[Etherion]

After Kai had made the comment about the weather Rose simply shook her head as she smiled at him. She meant that it was the beauty of the sun breaking forth from the dark cover she admired over how it looked. he smile in the light seemed to shine like a glow rather than a beacon it was pleasant to watch without it glaring back. His mark slowly began to retract from his face and arms in faint red pulses.

She then glanced back over him and with the way her eyes moved he cold tell she was taking in his sword, to confirm his guess she asked if he was a Taijutsu Master. "Well I wouldn't say master but i am good with my hands." His newly revealed aquatic eyes would twinkle with a mischievous light like the sun off of a shore about to produce a wave. He then stood and walked over to her. "No I'm not I'm more of a Mercenary kind of a Jack of All Trades, I've specialized in the Heavy Blade style though, among other things."

[Amalia]

As I explained to him my meaning of the sun, I watched the marks on his body slowly recede backward. Full of interest, I would reach out to trace the pattern of the markings on his skin back to his bicep. Grinning at him, I stopped my finger and backed up a bit to skip around the small area we were in. Sitting there waiting would be awfully boring, so I wondered what we could do. A thought struck me and, though hesitant, I began to consider it. I had to learn about his attack strategies at some point, whether I wanted to or not, so what better way to become in tune with him than a little sparring?

"U-uh, Kai...w-would you maybe want to, y'know, spar until the others get here?" I would ask in my shy, low tone as usual.

I wasn't one who indulged in pointless violence, but this was something completely different. We were just sparring, and it was friendly. Besides, how else could I learn to support him if I had no idea what his weak points were? Slowly I mentally talked myself into it, before lithely jumping in the air with a backflip and landing several meters away in the middle of what seemed to be a courtyard. I stretched my body out as I waited for him to approach and accept my offer.

[Etherion]

Rose surprised him a little as she walked right up to him tracing his markings up along his arm which seemed to retreat from her light. Kai had to stifle a groan at her touch being a virgin he found her proximity enticing and almost addicting as he looked into her deep green eyes. Before he could act on it she stepped back and then asked so cute and stuttering if he would want to spar. He didn't want to hurt the girl but he couldn't resist the chance to get his hands on her. "Sure why not, I could use the exercise anyway."

As he stood he would drive his blade point first back into the stone as if it was mud before stretching a little. He wanted to see her talent and potential in action, this girl actually had caused an interest in him. His mark spread back across his skin but more like flowing water than raging fire this time and his eyes weren't taken over like last time. "Ladies first?"

[Amalia]

I watched as the man threw around the huge sword as if it was nothing but a sack of feathers, it was actually pretty incredible. But then his body garnered all of my attention again, this time not at his rather large muscular physique. The markings that were all over his body came back out, flowing rather elegantly. They almost looked like...scales... Shaking my head of the thoughts, he gave me the first move. Smiling at him, I cracked my neck. He had given me the first move, so I thought carefully as to what I should do. Start off with a clan ninjutsu, or go for some earth techniques?

Inhaling and exhaling, I brought my hands up to my chest and rushed through my nine handseals as fast as I could. My arsenal of jutsu was very narrow, limited to defensive attacks for the most part. There were only three jutsu that had any real offensive potential, this one being one of them. As I finished my last seal, I slammed my hands into the ground beneath me.


"Doton: Ganban Kyuu!" Sending two large plates of rock to surround Kai. With a snap of my fingers, the rock plates would move in to crush him. Though, I had no doubt in my mind that he was going to escape. With that I began to weave my signs again, preparing a Kamizuru clan specialty for the rather young, attractive man. Thinking of him brought another blush to my cheeks that was hard to not worry about.

[Etherion]

Kai watched her as she launched into a long streak of seals, though Kai hadn't known her he hadn't expected this. As she continued he'd stand facing her with his front. As she came to the end of her seals she would press her hands against the ground and he'd watch the ground around him. As the earth on both sides of him rose up they would come up closing quickly.

With a violet flash Kai would release his second stage creating a surge of light before a cloud of dirt and rock. As it slowly cleared tall black wings stuck up from the cloud as light glittered off his blade like feathers while the heavy sound of a whip-like object hit the stone. Once the dust cleared Rosalie could see Kai standing there with his hair longer and messy his skin a gun-metal grey and covered in small scales while he held the two slabs of stone crushing them in his hands.

With a soft sigh he would straighten up crushing the small stones in his hands to dist before Rosalie could see his tail whipping at the ground behind him. A bolt of speed equivalent to the 3rd Celestial Gate carried Kai to rush her and pinned her to the stone with his body taking her hands and holding them apart so she couldn't make seals while his tail wrapped around her legs and ankles so she couldn't knee him in the nuts and so that her dress wrapped around her thigh so the bees couldn't escape the hive. His wings slowly rose up over them casting a shadow over them like their own private bubble, his eyes now gold again but having lost the malevolence from earlier gazed into her own. "How do I look now?..."


(OOC: curse mark stage 2 activated)

[Amalia]

I covered my face slightly with my hands as he released a violet burst of light. The light was then added to a dust cloud from my jutsu, melding together easily. I wondered, briefly, what had happened and my hands stopped moving. From my perihperals I saw obsidian like obtrusions sticking from the landing place of my earth technique. I scanned through the cloud as best I as I could, before the cloud cleared and I saw him there...though he wasn't the same. The attractive, strong man that I had known as Kai was gone. Replaced was a demon of sorts, with gray-ish skin and covered in scales. 

My hands quivered as the overwhelming amount of darkness seemed to suffocate me, my lungs forgetting how to take in air for a moment. I barely noticed him destroying the rocks I had created, all I could focus on was a light in-and-out breathing with the pulse of heart pumping blood. Within another second he had tackled her into the ground and I coughed as all of the air left her body. I had to bite her lip to get over the pain that had rushed through my body. My first instinct was to release my bees so that they could protect their queen, but he had effectively stopped them from escaping. As well as pinning my arms and legs so that I couldn't move, he put his atrocious face near mine and asked how he looked.

Turning my face from him, I bit my lip as a few tears escaped my traitorous eyes. The Kai I had talked to a mere minute ago wasn't making me cry, it was the demonic form of him. Everything about him while he was like this exuded an evil aura, one that made my skin crawl. For someone as pure as I, we were most definitely polar opposites. Still biting my lips, I kept my body still and closed my eyes with intent as I tried desperately to aggravate my bees enough that they would tear through my dress and attack the man.