01 - 03: SONS OF SUFFERING

[matsumoto-kun]

Five years ago. Kaze no Kuni Badlands.

--

"He got away!" A voice would shout into the morning sky.

The curtain of shade which was attributed to the night had long since faded, and was replaced with a cooling, subtle pink. Four men scattered their formation around a formation of several large rocks which appeared to lead them up to a considerably sized collection of ruins at the bottom of a series of dunes which surrounded them. Appearing as though an old outpost for whatever ancient civilization existed so many years ago, a number of crumbled pathways and fallen pillars littered the space. Moving at a considerable pace, they had their various armaments at the ready. Within an instant they would brush over the area with eyes steadily prepared for encountering their target. After a considerable amount of time, they would congregate at the top of one of the few standing pillars.

"We got him pretty good- there's no way he can survive for that long out here. He's as good as dead anyway."

"Yeah- but dammit, I wanted to see the bastard bleed."

"He was just a kid... this will be a horrible enough death for him here."

Purveying the area once more, the man who would appear to be the leader, would turn his back towards the rest of them. Sheathing his sword, his hand would raise, motioning to the remaining three that it was time to leave. Within a flash, they had vanished. 

The remaining area maintained its silence. A volley of wind would blow over the area, covering the tracks of the men who had searched so intensely. While having an understanding of chakra, and how to use it, it was evident that the men were not ninja. The ragged samurai armor which covered their bellies and heads might have made it more clear than otherwise. Then again, they were not samurai either. The tattered red bands wrapped around their right arms displayed the kanji for 'Mantis,' in a sloppy black ink. No doubt members of the gang which had been terrorizing the badlands for all of three months, they had amassed a considerable number of members within such a short amount of time. The definitive move had been the overthrowing of the gang which had claimed the badlands as their turf a year earlier, the Bright Light Gang. 

Run by a ferocious leader known for decapitating anyone who stood to oppose her, The Mantis Gang had become synonymous with absolute fear across the badlands. Forcing a large sum of the Bright Lights to join their forces, they had no lack of muscle. However, only a few hours prior to this whole scene at the ruins one of their main members had been assassinated by what appeared to be a group of mere children. Caught in his sleep, the group surprised him and his girlfriend by setting their cabin ablaze and murdering his bodyguards. Despite their youth, the death squad clearly had a grasp of the way of the ninja- which would make the culprit quite obvious.

Matsumoto Satsujin was a man of brilliant mind and ability. A missing-nin of Sunagakure, he abandoned his village to seek personal wealth and recognition within his home country. Hopes of becoming Daimyo were whispered across the countryside. His method was quite unique. Amassing an army within mere months, he would often use the children of the families that he slaughtered to do his bidding. In various cases, the children would be brainwashed to forget their parents altogether, often thinking of Satsujin as their father. For that reason, the children who did his bidding would all bear his name. At this very moment, the subject of the men's pursuit just so happened to be of that name.

--

Rising from his makeshift grave, Matsumoto Satsujin would be born again. This time, under a new name. It was customary within the Matsumoto Clan that you are 'born' with the name of the father. However, you do not receive your own 'true' name until you have made your first kill. That kill will determine the name that you will be recognized as henceforth. In this case, the name was Ushinawa.

[Deleted]

Sometime later.

The overwrought sun had risen high over the land, illuminating every shadow that was casted over some part of the desert, or at least most of it. It was hot and humid, for normal people it would be insufferable, but for those born and raised in Kaze no Kuni, it had just been another day. For me, it was a new day for a new adventure. A few weeks ago, I had discovered something new within the desert, it seemed to be the ruins of some of town or village, and I couldn’t wait to see what was there. The only reason it had been put off for so long was because of my overprotective parents, who didn’t believe that I possessed the strength and skill to handle my own within our lovely backyard.

This is why kids have to occasionally lie to their parents about what they are doing or where they are going, and today, I would be doing just that. Excessively happy, at the moment of freedom from my parents, I headed for the ruins of old - some ways out into the desert I had a bag filled with some supplies I had prepped for this day, and surely it would be a joyous one. Nowadays it seemed like these adventures I embark on to find old stuff was all that brought me excitement anymore, but I was just a kid, what did I really know? It wouldn’t have taken me long to reach my destination, my mood was my fuel and it felt as if I had won free gas for a year.

I looked down into the dunes which lead into the mouth of the ruins and began my descent, and it wouldn’t take long for my watchful eyes to spot a few patches of blood here and there. Could someone who had been injured entered in here before me? Was it too dangerous for me to even consider advancing? No. Of course I was going to continue onward, I was a shinobi after all. Entered into the ruins, and upon some of the fractured and cracked structures, I could see foreign pictures and words.

This alone was enough to make me forget about the blood and possible danger within the cave. I quickly rushed over to one of the structures and felt upon it’s cold and hard texture. “Marvelous!” I exclaimed, my ruby-red eyes lit up with such passion.

[matsumoto-kun]

By the time the sun had reached its usually distance from the Earth, Ushinawa had made his way from the plot of sand in which he had attempted to keep himself hidden, to a small crevice within the surface of the ruins. At some point in time it would appear as though a pillar had fallen onto the center of the main threshold of the ruin. With years of sand building and hardening around the portions of entrance that remained, it left space for only a child to be able to enter. While this was not the only entrance to the ruin, it was the one most readily available to the boy who had so eagerly needed to dust himself off and get away from the relentless heat of the desert. The eyes of various beasts of the desert, immortalized as stone idols, watched down at him from their perched positions above the ruins. While the foundation of the building did not appear to reach more than five meters high, it was evident that the entirety of the ruins spanned a great distance- more than enough to be able to be hidden- various cracks and pits being a constant issue for someone unfamiliar with how to approach these sorts of scenes.

A sheet of sand fell from his shoulders as the boy pulled himself closer to the demolished threshold. His hand pressed hard against his left side, now soaked in a deep sanguine substance that he knew to be his blood. His eyes had grown dry already, and his time under the sand had left nearly every portion of his body dusty and brown. However, with each hobble towards the threshold, he would lose yet another sheet of sand pressed against him. It would be foolish to discard the heavy black robe which covered his miniature body, at least right now. He would have to wait until he could actually crawl through the small hole before he could properly address his wound. The thought of his pursuers being a constant worry in the back of his mind.

Pushing his way through the crevice, Ushinawa wouldn't hesitate to rip the cloak from his shoulders and thrust it into the small hole which he had used to enter. The place was dark, but the constant shade had kept it much cooler, and much more bearable than the outside. Reaching into a small bag attached to his leg, he would pull a light green stick from it. Snapping it between his mouth and left hand, it would burst into illumination. 

Looking down, his eyes would peruse the extent of his damage. The light breastplate given to him by his father had proved ineffective at the side- the primary density situated at the front. His long black tights had bits of dried blood staining their side. The short black t shirt would leave his wound exposed, the midriff exposing the remainder of his belly as well. The majority of his stomach had been covered in blood as well. It was the type of wound he had seen end people countless times. His head pressing against the rubble behind him, he let out a whimpering sigh. 

'Not like this...' "I don't want to die like this..."

Pushing himself to his feet had taken an extreme amount of adversity. Deciding how to use his limited energy was something that seemed to happen almost instinctually, however. The hall before him was massive, and remained pristine compared to the destitute condition of the ruin's exterior. A number of the idols which had been found outside would line the halls of the interior as well. Images of skeletal dogs of varying sizes bore their fangs against those which would dare passage the temple. As blood passed down his body and onto the floor behind him, he would be forced to make his move to a point where he might be able to find some sort of resource for healing. Anything was better than sitting and waiting to bleed out.

-- temple layout. ooc.
matsumoto is on the main floor, which is more of a corridor. on either end of the corridor (north and south), there are the main entrances. matsu has used the southern entrance. to the east and west of the corridor, in the center, there are two thresholds which will lead to a vast open area (akin to an arena) to the east, or a bridged pathway (the bottom is too dark to tell what lies below) that will lead to a treasure room. there are various hieroglyphics and statues which hint to removing the artifacts of the temple will result in the awakening of a snake like creature.

[Deleted]

My opulent hues continued to dance upon the hieroglyphics that had been drawn upon the old structures of the ruins. I was still new at this, I hadn’t been able to read all of it perfectly, but I think I had understood somewhat of the things I was reading - or perhaps I was reading it completely wrong. Unfortunately, it wasn’t showing me anything I was particularly interested in, at least at the moment. Having visited the ruins before, I was able to get a good idea of the landscape and how to transverse it as effectively as a kid my age could.

I would have entered in the southern entrance of the corridor (basically following matsumoto’s tracks), and I had taken my vision from the drawings and back to the other scenery, like the blood upon the earth/sand that I had previously traveled across. I could have called out to the person if they were still here and still alive for that matter, but just because they had been injured didn’t necessarily mean that they were a good person, right? It could have been some sort of sand bandit that was injured and who probably deserved to die. Regardless, I’d feel safer if I was able to locate the body first before continuing my treasure hunt. So, I continued my advancement toward the center of the corridor, and he would find a pillar which once probably stood high and strong, but now had fallen to cut off the path.

Luckily there was a small opening which seemed like he could fit through. Though, he noticed that the hole was void of light, meaning that there was either no light on the other side or perhaps there was something which blocked the light. The blood trail had come to this point and the blood around and on the hole showed that the person may have entered in it. It was rather small too, meaning the one who had moved through it probably had a small stature, which made myself less wary of the possible threat. I pushed through the crevice, crawling as if I had to do it for a living (which actually I did, ironic enough).

I had come upon a piece of cloth, my grasped it firmly within my hands, before pushing it out of the hole as I would emerge from it. The light of the other side would shine through right behind me, unfortunately it hadn’t been enough to light up the entire room. Not too far away, there was another light, but it wasn’t enough to effectively see everything he would need to in order to not miss a single turn or item within the ruins. I stood tall, firmly, channeling chakra to my left arm, specifically to my fist, and it would soon be engulfed into a brilliant blazing flame - twice the size of my hand. If I hadn’t drawn the others attention yet, this would definitely do it.

“Who are you?” Despite seeing that he was physically injured, I would be foolish to rush to aid him so quickly.

[matsumoto-kun]

The sound of crumbling beneath him would alert him to the idea that someone had discovered the portal in which he had closed in order to prevent them from ever being able to discover it. It was a prolonged entry- initiated by the removal of his obstacle, then the shuffling of flesh through the hole in order to reach him. It would mean that his pursuer was either as small as he was, or was capable of contorting themselves with an incredible amount of ability. Deeming the second too illogical to conceive in his weakened state, he would slide his head to the side to observe this new intruder.

Dust began to accumulate into a screen as the rubble would crumble once it reached the ground. Soon, within the field of dust a boy would emerge. Not too far from his height, it was the only detail in which he could really see. The light of the outside world enveloped the boys back, leaving nothing but darkness to be seen at his front. That was, of course, before the extension of his hand. Within an instant the boys hand would become engulfed in flame, revealing the details of his profile to the dark haired boy. Causing Ushinawa into a forced step backwards by the sudden creation of the flame, it would become quite obvious that the boy whom had followed him here was trained much more thoroughly than the men who had originally given him chase.

Stark white hair and horrifying red eyes faced him. The subtle and boring features of the rogue being perfectly contrast with the bright and outstanding details of the boy at his opposite. Having turned to face him completely, he would lower the lime green lamp which he had been using to light his path- the only true thing he would be needing to see at this point being the boy's body. At this distance, nearly 20 meters away from each other, they could see each other quite clearly- Ushinawa perhaps being at an advantage given the power of the boy's flame.

The boy's appearance would give him an very clear understanding of what might have been going on. If he were to claim his name, as proud as he was to have taken it, it would be revealed that he was not some random desert shrew. If this boy was a recruit of the Bright Lights, then that meant he was here to finish the job. Face to face, it was far from evident that Ushinawa could claim victory. He only had one option left: to run.

Turning on his heel, Ushinawa would begin to sprint down the hallway. Raising his light to his face level he would allow it to illuminate a few feet ahead of him, having to rely on his reflexes to ensure that he would not run into any of the rubble which had accumulated after countless earthquakes and desert storms. Pillars and fallen idols littered the pathway giving him ample places to hide- if he chose to do so. No, his focus was to flee. Dodging various rocks and pieces of stone, he had to get into a position where he could claim the advantage.

[Deleted]

I waited patiently for the boy to reply, he would even look back at me as the flame lit up the details of my appearance, giving him a good sight. It couldn’t have been that bad nor could I have looked that frightening to the boy - or at least I thought I couldn’t. He couldn’t had been too much smaller than myself, but regardless of this, he had decided to turn tail and run.

A lot had ran through my mind, there could have been a few possibilities as to way he would flee, and the one that made the most sense was that I was possibly one of the people who harmed him. I had released a gentle sigh before I would pursue the one boy, unfortunately moving with a wound and so much blood lost wouldn’t make him too hard to catch up with, especially since the running could reopening the wound, with all the core work he was doing by running.

This kid must be foolish, by the time I would chase him out of this place, he’d probably be dead. “Hey! Stop running! Aren’t you injured?!” I was a tad bit annoyed, perhaps I should have swiftly closed in on him when I had the chance before. I wasn’t here for this crap!

[matsumoto-kun]

He was right. His voice echoed through the hallways to catch Ushinawa in his retreat. Of course, despite appearing to have somewhat positive intentions, this boy had yet to make it clear that he was in fact here to help. His hair clinging to his face due to the excess amount of sweat gathering in an attempt to flee, coupled with the heat that the desert was of course known for, he would appear as though a beast unsettled. The sound of the boy's steps were steadily encroaching. Bouncing from the floor to the ceiling, and back to the floor again, the audible clack of his shoes against the ground would alert Ushinawa of the approaching danger. Hobbling forward, he would soon realize that hiding would be a practice in futility- his blood allowing for even the most amateur tracker to be able to locate him within an instant.

Maneuvering between the fallen statues, he would eventually tuck behind one (five in front of Tooru), before taking his hand, doused in his own blood, and flinging it forward to create the appearance of the trail having continued forward. Tucking down, the pain would quickly follow the even slightly extra use of his strength. Feeling a knot roll from his throat to his stomach, his eyes would slam shut in a wince of pain. It took all he had to prevent himself from yelling out, but he had to continue. Almost immediately after, the flare would be tossed in the same direction, his aim hopefully still capable of placing it behind one of the fallen pillars further down the hallway. It was a makeshift plan, but it would at least buy him a moment of distraction time. If he could somehow get the drop on this boy, he would be able to figure out who he really was.

He certainly hoped it was a potential ally.

[Deleted]

The precious stones within my skull would continue to diligently search for the boy as I hadn’t been too far behind him to keep track of him or at least where he last was. At this rate, he surely was going to die, he continued to lose blood as he fled and it would only be a matter of time before he would faint, why did he choose to be so foolish? The trail of blood that he had left behind surely would make it easy to locate the boy, it would show me every move that he had made, it was as if someone was telling where he moved, play by play.

Whether he would continue to move onward or not or if he were to choose to hide somewhere, his blood would paint any scene unfortunately, and it would make it utterly impossible for him to get the advantage upon me. Though, it was sort of like a game, and I would play right into the boys hands - my fire was the only significant light here, it allowed me to see the boy and vice versa. What would he do if the light had vanished?

If the boy had continued to run or choose to hide without seeing where he was going he would surely die, whereas I would survive with or without it. I continued to advance forward, and as I did, my fire would burn out (just as I passed the fallen stones where Matsumoto is hiding), and just as it did, I would quickly leap up to the ceiling - silently. I embedded chakra within my hands to get a grip of the ceiling, before swinging my legs up to the ceiling after coating them with chakra and locking myself in upside down.

I awaited patiently in the darkness for any sound that the boy would give.

[☆ F ☆]

Matsumoto: +35 EXP