Peacemountain Spring. A popular getaway for travelers and those seeking meditation. They say the waters here are blessed and cleansing while also nourishing and rehydrating. The water never dirties for long either making it an ideal bathing spot. It's unknown why this water is so pure but its believed to be the work of a cherry blossom spirit inhabiting a cherry blossom tree at the peak of the springs small falls. It is also believed through the power of this spirit this place is kept from harm and destruction. It is as the name suggests a place of peace.
•Benefits: -Resting in the spring recovers chakra and stamina at a rate of 1/4th per post spent in its waters. -The gathering of natural chakra is doubled whilst resting in the spring -Minor hazards such as nausea, fatigue, hangovers, and the like are cured almost immediately when entering the spring it does not, however, cure anything which would require an appropriate antidote or treatment.
•Wonders: Sakura-hana: The name given unto the lone Sakura tree which is believed responsible for the restorative effects of the spring. It never seems to wither and only once did it ever lose its color in a time when it was called ugly and stupid by a man allergic to its foliage. Sakura-hana seems to respond positively to praise like any human, the color of its leaves brightening and in some cases...its been known to produce cherries with similar restorative effects akin to the spring waters.
•Detriments: -Chakra cannot be molded to produce jutsu or techniques that require chakra in this thread. -Acts of violence which cause injury or draw blood cause the spring waters to boil injuring any inside of it for an X-ranked amount equal to the caused injury. Playfully caused injuries usually are met with a slight increase of temperature that is uncomfortable but not leaving lasting injury.
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:55 pm
As dawn began to break in the Land of Floods, and sunlight peered its amber mane over the horizon, a quiet gust blew a flock of leaves around Shinji’s feet. Clad in nothing more than a pair of shorts, he stood near the edge of Heiwa Yamaharu. No shirt on his back, no shoes on his feet, and no items to accompany him. Looking at him, as an outsider, one would think he was preparing for a dip into the water. From the perspective of someone who knew the boy, they would make out a certain flair in his crimson eyes that said otherwise. Today wasn’t a day that this chunin was going to be spending by lounging around and having fun. Today was the day he would overcome the mental blockades that he had been hurdling over on repeat these last five years.
After Kagami, the blue haired enchantress and host of the sanbi, had invaded Arashigakure during the Kogarashi war, Shinji had been on high alert. It was exhausting. A constant state of hidden panic filled his bones and kept him up at night. Slowly he had been able to fight back the distress it was plaguing him with, but it was ultimately a losing battle. When he closed his eyes and began to drift into the realm of sheep and dreams, memories flooded his head and snapped him back to consciousness. Images of Kagami being torn to pieces by his Kage, made worse by her revelation that she was with child. Those followed closely by the sights he saw while tending to the wounded in the aftermath of Kogarashi’s onslaught. The death of a shinobi who he had later found out was named Nikkou, who had left an heirloom to his would-be savior. That would be enough to wake the poor shinobi from even the deepest of sleep.
Shinji was not used to seeing death firsthand. In fact, Nikkou was the only person who he had personally witnessed pass on. Shinji had spoken with a woman named Kagerou shortly after, who had given him some advice on how to cope with the constant state of war and despair that veiled over their world. She had told him that it was better to focus on the individuals caught in the war than the war itself. Sound advice; however, she couldn’t have predicted the extent of the fall that was soon to happen to Shinji over the course of these past five years. Over time, the anger he had built up inside began to fester, eventually tearing at his sanity and making way for even deeper issues to take root. This wasn’t anger towards Kogarashi or Kagami’s entourage. No, this anger was directed at himself.
Shinji wholeheartedly believed that if he had been stronger, he could have prevented the blue haired woman’s death, as well as have been able to stop the war before any casualties had befallen either side. The anger at his own inadequacy devolved quickly over time. His mental anguish these past few years turned to self-doubt, then further eroded into a deeper lack of confidence in his abilities. The only grace that came from it was his drive to become stronger to combat his weakness. He had honed his skills in the dark of the night when he couldn’t sleep. Every morning he would return home exhausted and threatening to faint. He would spend a few minutes regaining his strength then set out to assist in various affairs around the village or head out on a mission. This cycle repeated daily until he was unable to stand, and forced himself to rest just to pick back up wherever he left off.
The only break he had in this cycle was during a journey he had taken a few months after the war. Shinji had received permission to pursue a place known as Ryuchi Cave, home to the matron of snakes, Ginda. It was a cavern that was known to be sacred. One of the fabled sage lands that sparsely dotted the world they knew. While within the dark and musty caves, Shinji had encountered a man who had, possibly unknowingly, mentioned a phrase of wisdom that had become Shinji’s driving force over the remainder of this era of peace. That single phrase was what brought the white haired boy to these springs today.
Heiwa Yamaharu, a peaceful mountain spring that was renowned for its healing properties. The rumors were that there was a spirit residing in the nearby sakura tree that was responsible for the clear and pure waters that filled this pool, and further took it upon itself to punish those who would see harm done in its presence. Luckily, Shinji was here for peaceful reasons. As a precaution, he smiled warmly towards the tree, in case there was indeed a spirit inhabitant within its form, and stepped out into the water. He gathered chakra into the bottom of his feet in order to walk along the surface. Another step, and a third after. He repeated this process until he was directly in the center of the pool, then sat atop its clear surface. His movements tracked by a series of ripples. The waves along the surface calmed themselves until the springs were still once more. With legs crossed and hands set in his lap, Shinji’s eyes fluttered shut as he began to meditate. Only one thought crossed his mind during this process. “Life is motion.”
A few moments passed with his vision obscured by complete darkness, focusing on the feeling of air filling his lungs. He was aware of every minute vibration of the wind as it brushed his skin. Once he was sure he had achieved perfect stillness, his mental focus shifted until it was trained between his eyes, but slightly higher. The spot that someone who had reached enlightenment would tell you was the home of the Third eye. A point dedicated to awareness and perception. When someone is walked through the steps of their first meditation, the instructor often tells you to envision a small fire igniting on this point. From there they tell you to allow your imagination to take over, and let this fire evolve into whatever form it wishes to take. It is supposed to signify your own will, your essence. They don’t tell you what it should look like, as the exact form it takes is only important to your individuality.
Shinji’s fire began in a blue color, before slowly shifting to a bright shade of red, then further lightening to a pinker color. Golden metallic arms sprouted from behind it and connected to form what would be recognizable as a Celtic knot, before an eye opened behind the fire, with the pupil merging with the flame. After a few moments, Shinji would feel as if his chakra was being pushed out of his body, suspending it in the air around him. Outwardly, this wasn’t a reality. If someone happened to be watching on the banks of the spring, they would see no chakra apparitions. However, they would notice a constant series of ripples that spread out from under Shinji’s sitting form across the surface of the water, intersecting and forming an intricate floral pattern. Inwardly, a drowsiness washed over Shinji and the mental illusion of his flame-shaped will evaporated.
[From here on, everything happening shall be taking place in a mental plane. Those standing outside watching will only see Shinji sitting on the water with a strange pattern of ripples being constantly emanating from his body.
Shinji opened his eyes as he felt his body sink slightly into the water. At first, he attributed it to a lack of focus on his chakra control, but then he remembered what was going on. He had triggered a genjutsu that only affected himself. This was nothing more than a trance. His eyes drooped slightly, from an alert and slightly panicked state to that of a tired and sad gaze. His body sank deeper and deeper into the water. Much deeper than the pool would be, further reminding him of the trance he was in. Once the light penetrating the surface was far out of reach, Shinji closed his eyes. A soft lullaby sang in his ears. He recognized the tune. It was a song his mother used to sing to him when he was but a babe. It had been so long since he had heard the sweet, singsong voice. His mother no longer sang to him. She felt he was too old for lullabies. The sound of the melody brought a soft smile to his lips; Shinji had nearly forgotten his younger days. His eyes closed as he sank deeper and deeper into the water, breathing easy despite being completely submerged in an ocean of illusory water.
He allowed the song to bring forth forgotten aspects of his memories. Images of him dancing with his mother in the kitchen, his father sitting idly by laughing at the two having their fun. Those memories turned to vapor and swirled around his mind before reforming into more innocent pictures from his youth. Days where he would play out in the yard. His family had a cat that served as his only companion for many years. They would often be seen outside running around and playing with each other much like the other village children. To the Ketsueki clan, this was a commonplace occurrence, but to outsiders it might have brought a tinge of sadness knowing that the only friend for the young boy was little more than a pet. The end of this vision was his father calling him into the house for dinner. Instead of vapor, this image was overcome with black currents, dragging with them a slight skip into the future of that same memory, pausing as the family was sat around the table for their meal.
Shinji’s brow furrowed as a layer of static veiled over the memory, tearing away at the vision and showing him a barren landscape with scattered blades. The static faded and returned momentarily to the happy days he was reliving. More static showcased a shaded figure on the horizon, walking towards him. This process repeated, with each overlay having the figure getting closer and closer. Eventually some of the features of the mystery person could be seen. Clad in all black, a mask in the shape of a rabbit covering its face. A tattered scarf wrapped around its neck, and traditional Japanese garbs covered its body. The figure had black hair, but there was something familiar about them. A nagging personal connection that Shinji couldn’t quite place. There was a longer delay of static this time, as the figure continued to step closer, this time plucking one of the blades from the ground and brandishing it, before the static faded into Shinji’s days at the academy, specifically graduation day. When he was given an honorary title as the classes foremost armed fighter.
All at once, the vision disappeared. No more static this time. He could see the full picture as the stranger rushed towards him, ready to swing his blade and cleave through Shinji entirely. Instinct took over the boy. He flipped backwards to dodge the bladed swing, the water allowing for easy, but slightly sluggish movements. As he came back to a vertical position, he fell from the water and landed on the ground. The same barren wasteland that had been interrupting his memories. The figure paused momentarily as it processed that its attack was dodged. It straightened its body and sheathed the blade into an empty scabbard strapped onto its side. The figures foot shifted forward. As it did so, the bloody image of Kagami’s dismemberment forced its way into Shinji’s vision. The prominent illusion was so sudden and so powerful that he closed his eyes and shook his head to clear it. As he reopened his crimson pools, the figure was already upon him, drawing the blade with a swift motion, aiming to take off Shinji’s head.
In order to block the attack, Shinji glanced to the side and picked up one of the scattered weapons, swinging his arm as fast as he could in order to place the blade in the way of the figures strike. The resulting clash shattered the silence with a loud metallic ring. Although the attack had been blocked, the force of the clash sent Shinji backwards a considerable distance. He skittered across the ground, losing grip on the blade and coming to a halt several meters away. This time, the figure didn’t advance. Instead, it spoke. The voice coming from behind the mask was equally as familiar as its presence, but it was slightly warped and pulsating with an unrecognizable noise. ”Shitsui,” the figure’s singular word made Shinji c**k his head. He began to connect the dots as he worked to stand up. If this was all happening deep within Shinji’s unconscious mind, then perhaps the figure was operating similarly to Shinji’s philosophy. If that was the case, then it was introducing itself. After all, giving your name to your opponent was a sign of respect.
”Shitsui. That’s your name?” Shinji asked, brushing dust from his body. Strangely, he found that somewhere between falling through the water and this moment, clothing had surrounded his body. Garbs of the same style as this figure’s, but opposite in color, as well as an empty scabbard strapped to his side. The figure, Shitsui, nodded its head solemnly, but behind the mask was a slightly sinister smile. ”Okay then. Shinji.” As he gave his own name, the white haired lad found the nearest sword and placed the tip into the scabbard on his side, sliding it through until it rested comfortably at his side. These warriors exchanged no more words. They simply locked eyes and waited, observing their opponent as a gust of wind blew up some dust between them. The air was tense. The scene was similar to a duel between two cowboys in old western films, waiting for the clock to strike high noon before either drew their gun. As the cloud of dust passed out of their way, it seemed that served as the signal these two needed to begin their clash.
Their bodies blurred momentarily as they rushed forward, meeting in the middle with a drawing of their blades. Sparks flew as the blades made contact. At face value, the two were even. However, it would soon become apparent that Shinji was outmatched by Shitsui. The singular clash created a gust of wind around the pair that kicked up more dust, clouding the pair and obscuring Shinji’s vision. Shitsui didn’t seem hindered by this, as he used it as cover in order to release his sword and rush around, picking up a second blade cleaving through the dust from behind Shinji. The slash connected with the boy’s shoulder but went no deeper than a few centimeters seeing as Shitsui had already released the sword and vanished again. The dust made perfect cover as a third, fourth, and fifth blade sunk slightly into Shinji’s flesh from varying angles. The sixth came and slashed into his abdomen. After the barrage had seemingly ended, the dust blew away and revealed Shitsui standing several meters away.
”Focus.” The voice spoke, slightly clearer now, but Shinji still couldn’t place how he knew it. His eyes widened as he realized there were more strikes coming. Sequentially, an additional six blades impaled his flesh at various angles. He knew the technique that had been used. It was known as Addition, but it seemed that Shitsui had no intention of following up with the Multiplication technique. Shinji huffed a sigh of slight relief, then winced in pain as the blades fell off onto the ground. To his surprise, upon further inspection, there were no physical wounds left behind. Not even a rip in his clothing. It made sense. This was a battle taking place in his mind, after all. This wasn’t a battle to the death; it was a war of attrition. The winner was the one who would force surrender from the other. Any damage that was dealt was merely superficial and served no greater purpose than to prove superiority. This did raise a question. Why was there a battle in the first place? Shinji narrowed his eyes at Shitsui and decided he wanted to understand exactly what the purpose of this fight was.
”What is this?””This is your wish being realized.” A short, and cryptic response. Was he referring to Shinji’s desire to overcome the mental distress he had been encumbered by? ”I don’t understand,” he muttered, which resulted in a change in stance from Shitsui. The black-clad figure picked another blade from the ground as it readied another strike. ”Then allow me to explain.” Instead of continuing the response, Shitsui rushed forward before blurring out of sight. A stinging sensation erupted in Shinji’s stomach as he watched a fuzzy-looking blade slash straight through him. Then, everything went black.
As color returned to his vision, the landscape began to change. Walls began to build themselves up from the ground, forming a box around him and a ceiling overhead. A thin veil of smoke crept in from the corners of the walls and collected in various positions, swirling around before they collected into the form of objects to line the walls and dot the floor. The smoke evaporated and left the room furnished. He recognized this room. It was Toso’s office. Shitsui walked around from behind Shinji. ”This was where everything began, correct? The introduction to your turmoil.” His body began to fade, his voice becoming a nearly incoherent whisper. ’Now remember.’ Phantoms filled the room, taking their positions around him in familiar poses. A pool of black spread along the floor, sprouting tendrils that stretched forth and attached themselves to pieces of memory. As the vision solidified, a perfect replica was formed of the Arashikage’s office just after he had ripped apart the blue haired villain. Despair filled Shinji’s eyes as he was once again face to face with the needless carnage. The familiar stench of copper filled his nose, and a wet feeling dripped onto his cheek. The moment was frozen in time for a few seconds before everything began to happen in reverse. Kagami was pieced back together, the tentacles retreated into the pool of ink, and the scene paused once Shinji was seated next to Toso, just before Kagami and her entourage burst into the room.
Shinji tried to close his eyes, but found he was unable. He tried to plead for the image to stop, but his voice was mute. In perfect order, he watched the scene play out, then as soon as Kagami’s body was dismembered, the scene froze. Shitsui stepped out from behind the large oni woman. ”This scene. What was significant about it? Why did it cause you such grief?” As he finished his question, he vanished again, causing the scene to rewind once more. ”Stop!” Shinji’s plea was met with silence, but the scene continued to reset. As the events played out once more, Shitsui’s voice repeated his question. ”Why did it cause you such grief?” This time, Kagami’s dismembered head picked up speaking, peering into Shinji’s desperately hopeless eyes, adding even deeper levels of horror to the scene. ”I wished to destroy your entire way of life. Why did my death impact you in such a negative way?” Shinji dropped to his knees, clutching his head. He screamed in agony as things began to rewind a third time. This process continued for what felt like hours.
Each time left Shinji more scarred than the last, until he was left in a perpetual state of numb. His eyes felt as if they had sunken in. The figures faded away and left only Shinji in the room. The door opened and Shitsui stepped throught the threshold. ”Have you found an answer yet?” His question came with a short chuckle. Obviously, this figure had a strange enjoyment at the despair it was inflicting. Shinji lifted his head to glare at Shitsui. ”What? Are you trying to tell me that death is meaningless? That I shouldn’t let this get to me because it was deserved?” Shitsui shook his head. ”Clearly you have learned nothing.” A wave of the hand brought back the scene, allowing it to play through again. Overtop the noises of the event, Shitsui’s voice interjected into Shinji’s thoughts. ’This death is not meaningless. Focus. Why did this death have an impact on you? What about this instant tore you apart? Until you can answer that, you will remain stuck here.’ Several more hours passed with this scene replaying on a loop. Eventually, Shinji called out to Shitsui. He was ready to give an answer.
”Shitsui, come out. I’ve got an answer now,” he said angrily. The scene paused, right as Toso’s tentacles were piercing into Kagami. As Shitsui appeared, fading into existence, Shinji waved his hand. Being deep within the subconscious, the scene reacted to his movement and resumed playing in slow motion. Shinji watched with eyes full of sadness as she was torn apart. ”This death wasn’t necessary, but it was unavoidable. The events that lead up to this moment can’t be changed. We pleaded for her to change her mind, but she didn’t budge. In the end, she played us all for fools and nearly succeeded in her plan,” another wave of the hand and the phantoms in the room dispersed, leaving only Shinji and Shitsui. ”Death is common for shinobi, but it shouldn’t be. If we lived in a better world, then differences could be solved without resorting to needless violence.””A sound answer. But, what do you plan to do about it?” Shinji thought for a while and sat on the ground. ”The only thing I can do is to try and resolve things without confrontation, but that won’t be enough. I just have to accept that you can’t prevent death, right?” Shitsui clapped his hands as the vision faded.
As the vision of Lord Arashikage’s office disappeared, Shinji found that nothing had changed. They returned to the barren landscape, just as he was being cut down by Shitsui’s attack. To his relief, returning to this moment had a converse effect than what would be suspected. Rather than feeling pain from the attack, Shinji felt as if a weight was being lifted from his shoulders. Shitsui straightened up and sheathed his blade as Shinji turned to face him. A curious expression spread across the white-haired boys face. ”What was that?” He asked his question, but the only reply he got was Shitsui placing a finger to his mask, signaling for quiet. ”You will understand in due time. Ready your blade,” Shinji used a body flicker technique to move away from Shitsui and reappeared in an area densely packed with blades.
Instead of picking one up, he gestured for Shitsui to advance. The masked man smiled and rushed forward. He picked a second blade from the ground as he did so, and blurred from sight momentarily. Shinji wasted no time. Using the ball of his heel as a pivot, he spun around, plucking a sword from its resting place, charging it with his chakra. He used that sword to tap others during his rotation, causing them to spring up and rotate with him, floating in the air around him. The closer Shitsui got, he began to realize that the figure had no intentions of stopping. Instead, he was heading straight down the middle, aiming to strike a blow on Shinji. Shinji stopped his rotation, grabbing a second sword from the air as the rest continued to swirl around him. Once Shitsui was close, the masked figure swung both of his swords up in an ‘X’ shape, while Shinji parried both strikes. The next exchange went entirely in Shinji’s favor. He thrust one sword forward, while the other was held behind him. Shitsui leaned back slightly and used his own blade to push the strike to the side. Shinji used the motion to his advantage, twirling right along with it and bring the second blade around, slicing through Shitsui’s chest. The figure laughed and faded from existence, leaving Shinji alone. However, the voice was still present.
”Very good. It seems that you have improved slightly. Let’s see if you can improve even further,” the ominous statement sent a shiver down Shinji’s spine. The world around him shifted, the ground falling away beneath him and sending him tumbling into a crater with seemingly no end. He already knew what was coming. Another vision, which would force him to find an answer, then return to the previous exchange. The only question was, what was this going to be. If he had already accepted death, then what would be the next course of action to take? Shinji closed his eyes and breathed in, opening them to reveal this illusion. A clearing, surrounded by a forest with no signs of other life. Shitsui was already present, standing directly in the center. He smiled warmly and spread his hands. ”Welcome. Do you remember this place?” Shinji groaned. Of course he remembered. This was his preferred spot for when he would sneak out at night and train.
He nodded his head and took a few steps towards Shitsui. The figure kept his hands spread out, but a phantom blade materialized in one of them. Shinji’s eyes widened. He had never seen a weapon like that before. It wasn’t chakra, but it wasn’t a physical weapon either. A completely astral form stemming from some unknown technique. ”This place signifies something. Can you tell what that is?” Shinji already knew the answer. How could he not? This place was synonymous with Shinji’s weakness as a shinobi. The pinnacle of his feelings of inadequacy. The world beyond the trees in this trance was darker than night. Nothing lay beyond them. There was no escaping here. He had to solve this puzzle, and defeat this entity. ”If you can’t absolve yourself, then you will never be able to leave here. Now come.””But I don’t have a weapon. Isn’t this an unfair fight?” Shitsui shook his head and rushed forward.
The only thing Shinji could think to do for defense was to delve into the Kyotoryuu style’s techniques. After all, training in that style of taijutsu had effectively made the edges of his hands as deadly as a knife. He rushed towards his opponent and delivered a palm strike to the flat of the astral sword. To his surprise, it felt solid, and sent vibrations throughout Shitsui’s arms. As his opponent released the blade, Shinji made a grab for it. The blade, in response, evaporated into thin air. The shock gave an opening for Shitsui to drive his knee up into Shinji’s stomach, then knock him back with a palm strike to the chest. His white hair fluttered around him as he rolled along the ground. When he regained focus and stood, Shitsui had another astral sword in hand, shaking his head. This exchange continued, with Shitsui having a clear edge, but not necessarily from being the one armed. Instead, it felt to Shinji as if his body was being held down by something. Once again, Shitsui asked his question. ”What does this place signify?” Shinji shook his head, refusing to answer. ”If you don’t wish to answer, then remain here for eternity.” Shitsui vanished, leaving Shinji the sole inhabitant of the clearing.
Shinji sat down in the clearing, pulling his knees to his chest and fuming from being left alone. How dare that masked b*****d. Whatever psychological warfare he was employing, he definitely knew where to aim his points. He began muttering out loud, at first it was just curses towards Shitsui, but over time his one-sided conversation began to turn towards the question he was given.
”Oh course I know what this place signifies. This is all in my own mind, right? How would I not know. This is a place of weakness. I didn’t feel like I deserved to stand among my peers, that I was too weak to call myself a shinobi.” Shitsui stepped into the clearing from the darkness. ”And why was that?””Because I wasn’t able to stop that woman, I couldn’t change her mind, and as a result there were so many casualties, so many people were hurt.” Shitsui crouched down in front of Shinji. ”Yet you went out and trained endlessly. Don’t you think you’re strong enough now?” Shinji shook his head. ”Maybe I’m not as weak as I thought I was, but I’m still not strong enough. So long as there are people I can’t stop, I will never be strong enough.” To this end, Shitsui reached out a hand, offering it to Shinji, helping him to his feet.
As their hands parted, a strange red aura surrounded Shinji’s palm. ”Then perhaps the issue isn’t weakness. Perhaps the issue is simply a lack of strength. That, you can strive for -””-but true weakness cannot be overcome.” As the white haired lad finished the darker-haired figures sentence, a smirk spread behind the mask. Shitsui held his hand out and revealed a similarly colored aura that had been placed upon Shinji’s hand, which then materialized into another astral katana. Shinji’s brow furrowed as he watched, but then turned his focus to his own hand. He closed his fingers around the aura as if he were holding the hilt of a sword. The crimson colored aura unfolded into an astral weapon of his own, but the excitement was short lived. Shitsui walked towards Shinji and slashed through his body. Again, there was no pain from this strike. Instead, another weight lifted from his shoulders.
”Look.” An order with a point of the finger drew Shinji’s gaze to his body. He watched as a series of astral chains fell away from him, disappearing into particles of light. ”What is that?”That, friend, was the shadows in your mind weighing you down. No longer chained around you, freeing you from their clutches.”
The forest melted away. The ground stretched out until they were standing again atop the barren wasteland. Shitsui nodded in approval to Shinji, and reached up to take hold of his mask. ”This has been productive, but it is about time for you to go back, don’t you think?” Shinji bowed his head as a sign of respect. When he had fallen into this place, he wasn’t sure what was going on. All he had known was that there was an attack aimed at him from a mysterious masked figure, and everything since had been a roller coaster of emotions. ”Thank you.” Shitsui shook his head, slowly removing the mask as he did so.
”No need to thank me. I am just doing what needed to be done,” during his reply, the color of his dark hair faded to a bright shade of snow. The mask, being fully removed, had been hiding something that Shinji should have seen coming. He was standing directly across a mirror reflection of himself. Shitsui, who Shinji realized was a manifestation of his subconscious mind, readied his astral blade in a Kendo stance. ”Now, let’s finish this.” Shinji readied his blade similarly, and the two moved swiftly towards the other. The astral blades clashed, and folded together to form a wave of the crimson colored energy.
[End of meditation sequence, returning to the real world.]
Shinji's eyes snapped open, the rippling under him ceasing. There was a faint glow to his crimson pupils, as well as a minutely thin red glow around his body. This light only lasted a few moments. Just as quickly as it had started, it was gone. Shinji stood, not caring that his lower half had gotten soaked from the pool. A smile spread across his lips, feeling much more grounded than before. He walked to the edge of the pool, vanishing in a blur. [exit]
Mission Title: Growth Mission Description: In order to rid himself of the mental phantoms that had plagued him since the Kogarashi War, Shinji takes to meditation, falling deep into his subconscious in order to combat his woes. Body Rank: B (800 AC per) Claiming 343 sentences, 85 posts for AC
Techniques Learned: - First Virtue: Integrity - Second Virtue: Respect - Third Virtue: Courage - Fourth Virtue: Honor - Fifth Virtue: Compassion
Spending 1 Training Coupon [+6 Buki techs per post modifier] Learning: - Virtuous Swipe - Flying Spirit Sword - God Killing Spear - Spirit Sword Iaido - Warrior Spirit: Ambush
☠ Nami ☠ ❝ The wave does not need to die to become water. For she is already water. ❞
Kumoito l Sannin l Genjutsu l Bloodline l Shōton ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Quote:
A time of serne. Footsteps couldn't be heard as her barefeet pressed against the cool cold grass beneath. Nami was off duty today and she figure that she could do some relaxing and reading. She already went swimming this morning and now she wanted to focus on something else, Isobu. He had been quiet. Refused to talk and was just... there. Every day, Nami would visit different places that had water and just... talk. She wasn't even sure what to do. Today was no different. With a black shoulder bag slung over her shoulder, she removed it as she got close to the waters. "It's a really beautiful day, Isobu. You should come out and enjoy it." No response. Not surprising. It doesn't bother her however. Removing her dress, she folded it neatly and set it aside. The dress wasn't the only one removed as she unclasp her bra and set it on top. Her thumbs tucked in between her skin and underwear and slipped it off too. Folding the black garments neatly onto the dress, Nami opened her bag and got out a book. If anyone was being a peeping Tom, they would notice the tattletale sign of demon seal on her torso. With a soft sigh, she slid into the perfect quiet waters. Setting the book on a safe rock, she leaned back and glanced up at the sky.
"I do wish you talk to me Isobu... but it's okay. I'm... trying to understand. I was told that no one was the same and every one was different. You are what they... call shy, I believe? I'm not positive. Okay. Where were we? I think we were on page 23.." She reached over at the book. Making sure her arms were raised enough above the water so the book wouldn't get wet. She started to read but then stopped in confusion. Wait, didn't she read this part before?
"Page 25."
A brilliant smile approached Nami's face but she wasn't going to force him to say anymore. "Ah. Thank you, Isobu." With that, she started to read the story of Old Man and the sea. Isobu listened. He listened to her voice as she read the book. This girl. She was not giving up on him. Every single day, it was almost like clockwork. When she works, she goes swimming and then gets dressed as well ready for work. When she's off, she goes swimming and read him some books. This girl was different than his previous host. His heart panged as he thought of Sato and how he failed to protect his mother... or so Sato believes. Kagami knew what may happen and Isobu was still grieving for his previous host. Before that? Trapped in a tree for decades and years. No voices. No warmth before Kagami.
Nami was an odd one. He listened intently as he stayed hidden in his shell. Over time, he realizes that Nami had her own shell. She was clueless and not very good at picking up emotions and learning herself. Why was he sealed into a mental and physical young woman but the emotions of a child? To be honest, Nami wasn't that bad off. He wanted to get out and get to know her but she reminded him of Kagami. Not by personality but her hair. The blue hair. The winds rustled as the sakura blossoms petals started to dance into the wind, combing with he soothing of Nami's voice, Isobu felt less sad and more at peace with this host.
Could he really trust her? Slowly, his chakra started to meld into hers, and there was no resistance. Nami noticed as she paused in the reading but she continued on. So soothing. So peaceful. As calm seas. Isobu mentally sighed as he felt happy.
Happy.
Was he actually happy? Nami gasped as she felt a sudden burst of chakra as the cloak appeared a bit without warning as she had to put the book away because it was burning the book. "Sorry.." Isobu murmured as Nami smiled and shook her head. "It's okay, Isobu. Just caught me off guard that's all! Would you like me to swim a bit?" She questioned him. Isobu pondered for a moment. He was sad. The book was sad and it reminded him of Kagami's death. "Yes." Nami nodded as she moved the book a bit further back so it wouldn't get wet and dove into the deep water. The cloak became more powerful as the chakra was starting to become stronger. Nami feels protected. Security. Isobu felt happy. Peace. Together, they would be able to trust each other.
With a brilliant smile, Nami found a seashell. She picked up and gently caressed it with her fingertips. Isobu was enjoying this. At last.
Some peace. The burning sensation of the demon cloak started to become comfortable for Nami and Isobu both. Their chakra, now fully melded, it was as if Nami was a dead ocean and Isobu brought the calm waves. The cloak faded away into nothing as she placed the seashell down and continued on swimming. Her hair flowing behind her as the water embraced her skin. Together, they felt free.
Deep down, Isobu was still scared. That she would go back on her word or she's not who she says she was like Kagami did to him. He was scared. For now, he'll stay cautious as he slowly starts to trust Nami. She just... seems different.
PassiveEffects: • • Crystallization | All Shoton techniques have the innate ability to crystallize chakra upon collision. Techniques that are not a rank higher nor overwhelm the Shoton technique will be instantly crystallized through. For example, a B-Rank Shoton technique colliding with a B-Rank fireball will result in the Shoton technique being destroyed and the fireball being rendered a useless clump of crystal. Once techniques are crystallized they are rendered useless to the caster. Additionally, the Shoton user can shatter a crystalized technique or object at will with no chakra or combat action cost. Finally, if the cost is paid twice for a Shoton technique then it will be able to crystallize overwhelming techniques and techniques up to one rank higher. This does not consume a combat action and can only be performed once per post. • Born Enchanter | All Shoton users of the genjutsu class automatically obtain the enchanter/enchantress path of a genjutsu class specialist (see genjutsu/genjutsu cross class). If the Shoton user is a genjutsu specialist already then they may be an enchanter/enchantress as well as a second path (illusionist, trickster, and conjurer). Ergo, if you are single genjutsu class then you get the enchanter path from genjutsu specialist and if you are a genjutsu specialist then you get the enchanter path as well as a second path of your choosing. _✧Those who are a specialist can choose one category of genjutsu to follow as a path. You can follow the path of the illusionist (illusory focus), enchanter/enchantress (enchantment focus), trickster (instance focus), or conjurer (chain focus). Selecting a Path grants [3] additional custom slots and [1] keystone for techniques of that category. Genjutsu that are cast by those of this specialization are more efficient as according to the user's body rank, all Genjutsu are [10] Chakra cheaper to perform with the user's specialized Focus are further reduced by another [5] Chakra per body rank. No cost can be lower than a minimum of [5] Chakra. Once every other post all three of the genjutsu specialist's actions in a post can be used for genjutsu.
Genjutsu Path: Enchantress • Crystal Ball | The Shoton user's crystals can act as a crystal ball and produce divination visions by applying an E-Rank amount of chakra for no action cost. This allows viewing the crystals to be used as a sight trigger for genjutsu. Genjutsu triggered with this method cost one rank higher to kai but require one tier lower to release through pain at a maximum of S+ chakra and a minimum of tier one pain. In addition, as a clairvoyant, all genjutsu with sight as the primary sense can last for an additional [2] posts with no upkeep cost. • Crystalline Rampart | Defensive crystal techniques are one rank stronger against spiritual techniques in collisions. Crystal techniques also lose their weakness to sound techniques. Finally, all doton techniques can be classified as shoton techniques for no resource or action cost but only originally crystal defenses gain the one rank increase.
• _✧
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 1:49 pm
☠ Nami ☠ ❝ The wave does not need to die to become water. For she is already water. ❞
Kumoito l Sannin l Genjutsu l Bloodline l Shōton ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Quote:
Swimming and Isobu could feel her emotions. Freedom and just being lost in the mist of all of this. Nami decided to use a bit of her bloodline to keep her submerged and from floating as the body naturally does, she sank to the sands below as she sat down and looked around. Leaned back, she blinked few times as she was sent to the relams to talk to Isobu. Seeing the massive turtle in front of her, it was just a shell. He hasn't come out still. Nami's brows furrowed. She didn't make this so Isobu called her here for a reason. "Isobu?" She called out to him. There was some noises and the shell slightly shook. He was not coming out. Nami stood in front of the massive creature and was patient.
"I-I'm scared. Just like Kagami, you'll use me. Go back on your word."
Nami tilted her head. Kagami? She heard that name before... who was she? Nami sighed softly, "Use you... what do you mean?"
"U-use me as a weapon..." He stuttered. Nami's heart drop. Wait. Her heart drop. Now it was speeding up, was she feeling emotions? What was this one... sadness. She did not like it. At all. "Isobu. I don't know what happened to you in the past but you are with me. Here. How about I'll do everything I can to not use you or your powers. You can live in peace with me. If I need to use you, we can talk about it instead of just... pulling your chakra away. Okay?"
Isobu wasn't sure to whether believe her or not. He's been lied to. There was no response. Nami blinked and the next thing she knew, she was back, under the water. With a gentle motion, she laid down at the bed and just watch the sun rays trying to pierce through the water and the fishes swimming around. Nami wasn't going to bother Isobu. He ... apparently has been through a lot. So she was going to respect him. Their chakra was already melded but was there trust?
PassiveEffects: • • Crystallization | All Shoton techniques have the innate ability to crystallize chakra upon collision. Techniques that are not a rank higher nor overwhelm the Shoton technique will be instantly crystallized through. For example, a B-Rank Shoton technique colliding with a B-Rank fireball will result in the Shoton technique being destroyed and the fireball being rendered a useless clump of crystal. Once techniques are crystallized they are rendered useless to the caster. Additionally, the Shoton user can shatter a crystalized technique or object at will with no chakra or combat action cost. Finally, if the cost is paid twice for a Shoton technique then it will be able to crystallize overwhelming techniques and techniques up to one rank higher. This does not consume a combat action and can only be performed once per post. • Born Enchanter | All Shoton users of the genjutsu class automatically obtain the enchanter/enchantress path of a genjutsu class specialist (see genjutsu/genjutsu cross class). If the Shoton user is a genjutsu specialist already then they may be an enchanter/enchantress as well as a second path (illusionist, trickster, and conjurer). Ergo, if you are single genjutsu class then you get the enchanter path from genjutsu specialist and if you are a genjutsu specialist then you get the enchanter path as well as a second path of your choosing. _✧Those who are a specialist can choose one category of genjutsu to follow as a path. You can follow the path of the illusionist (illusory focus), enchanter/enchantress (enchantment focus), trickster (instance focus), or conjurer (chain focus). Selecting a Path grants [3] additional custom slots and [1] keystone for techniques of that category. Genjutsu that are cast by those of this specialization are more efficient as according to the user's body rank, all Genjutsu are [10] Chakra cheaper to perform with the user's specialized Focus are further reduced by another [5] Chakra per body rank. No cost can be lower than a minimum of [5] Chakra. Once every other post all three of the genjutsu specialist's actions in a post can be used for genjutsu.
Genjutsu Path: Enchantress • Crystal Ball | The Shoton user's crystals can act as a crystal ball and produce divination visions by applying an E-Rank amount of chakra for no action cost. This allows viewing the crystals to be used as a sight trigger for genjutsu. Genjutsu triggered with this method cost one rank higher to kai but require one tier lower to release through pain at a maximum of S+ chakra and a minimum of tier one pain. In addition, as a clairvoyant, all genjutsu with sight as the primary sense can last for an additional [2] posts with no upkeep cost. • Crystalline Rampart | Defensive crystal techniques are one rank stronger against spiritual techniques in collisions. Crystal techniques also lose their weakness to sound techniques. Finally, all doton techniques can be classified as shoton techniques for no resource or action cost but only originally crystal defenses gain the one rank increase.
The day was nice and warm due to the suns rays at peace mountain spring, a nice crisp breeze to keep the warmth from being unbearable and most not in the spring might prefer something to keep the breeze out to be perfectly comfortable. Travellers on a journey quite often enjoyed this location as a nice rest stop, the most common form of traffic here even if those who came to meditate to spend time in a spiritual locations came here commonly for slightly different reasons and the same person often came again and again. Lately things hadn’t been like this, traveller’s having arrive at the location and after discovering one or two things, chose not to indulge as the recent war had left the country’s people a little on edge over Yokai.... and it appeared one had been living in the area for about three weeks.
This Yokai hadn’t harmed anyone and wasn’t doing anything worth noting as potentially sinister, however she was quite often in sight and just around... some people had also realized they’d had some things stolen from them and suspect it was her, although most of it being food and valueless Knick knacks... even some clothes had been stolen, although a lot of this went unreported as the victims didn’t notice until they had already left. Attempts to ask her to leave had ended in utter failure, the Yokai having ignored most people’s requests or blatantly refused and this had resulted in a lower influx of guests and a general want for her to be gotten rid of.
Reyna herself was lounging half asleep on a sturdy and higher branch of the Sakura-Hanna tree, stretching out as the branches rising height allowed her to lay back. One would notice quite quickly that she wasn’t wearing terribly much, a black tank top that was a little to small and thus very tight that she had stolen, also wearing a pair of black denim shorts that were likely stolen from the same person but from ground level were hidden by the most noticeable thing about this pretty girl. Five massive red tails with black tips and slightly lighter bands, just like a foxes if not way to big, one drooped over her waist and dangling off of her like a makeshift blanket, two pressed between her back and the tree, one flopping of sideways and twitching a little, the other supporting the side of the Yokains sleeping head. The fourth was being used as a hug pillow/blanket, pulled around and across her her chest and cuddled between her arms, the last dangling off the opposite side of the branch providing balance and lazily swishing around a bit.
She had large fox ears sticking out of her head with red and black hair, she held an adult and unnatural beauty and attractiveness to her, although looked like she might not be an adult yet when it came to how old she might be. Despite her attractiveness and non threatening demeanour most people whom had “braved” the spring and also chose to try and speak with her had seen her as distant, not seeming entirely there, unaware of things, slightly curious and that she was likely non threatening even if they couldn’t work out much. The rumours were that she was from the land of Iron and had come with the war, the first sightings having define her as looking injured and then chose to set up the springs as her new territory, which even if people couldn’t use chakra here people found a threatening concert and negative rumours are often the most spread and as a result they wanted her gone and who best to rid people of a Yokai than the Sage of Yokai!
Ooc: for Iksin :p Mission: Banish the Scary Yokai Rank:C Description: a Yokai has taken up residence in a place of peace and relaxation, making a quantity of visitors unwilling to use the springs out of fear or paranoia. It’s lowering the visitors and its beliefs she’s corrupting the area and will destroy the spring if she doesn’t leave.(Hysterical result of rumours and not true, although makes the missed giver bias and make it sound as if they know she’s up to no good) some people have reported some belongings going missing when passing through the area and it’s generally believed that the Yokai is responsible for this as well,(this IS true, although nothing too valuable, petty theft at worst.) people would like to use the springs without needing to worry about their safety or property and thus wish the Yokai be banished. Stamina 200/200 | Chakra 400/400
It'd been around a month....maybe less time had passed. Iksin had stopped keep track a while back. The war wasn't draining to him, maybe upsetting to an extent initially as it hindered his progress to his goal a bit but not draining. He had become more and more known in worse and worse ways through the days. Even figuring out so much as he garnered a strictly negative connotation with his name. It was unfortunate, but only somewhat. His new train of thought led him to believe that his name was negative for a reason. Perhaps it afforded him more freedom, he wasn't expected to be a hero. He didn't want to be expected to be a hero anyways. He was expected to be a villain, and when you're expected to be a villain and do not take on the actions of one people are surprised. His name may have been that of a villain's name but he was fine with it.
That being said, outside of the expectation of villiany he did receive the occasional 'normal' mission so to speak. His name being known also meant his personal moniker was known. Not the moniker given to him by those who had deemed him a villain but the one he had given himself, The Yokai Sage. In a similar way to how his villainous name rose, the war struck fear and often times unfounded hatred in many hearts for Yokai. He wasn't sure how Zaishin was doing in that regard but many other places were horrible. A particular mission that came to him and interested him which he decided to investigate was that of a yokai who seemed to have appeared in a spring. The statement mentioned the yokai being a female. Something crazy about corrupting the spring and some thefts that the 'beast' may have been responsible for.
Iksin was personally glad this got to him as opposed to some random band of Yokai Hunters. At least he would be reasonable and not stupid about this. Iksin would arrive at the springs fairly quickly. Better safe than sorry, his arrival was welcomed almost immediately by a fearful looking inn owner who quickly directed him to where the last place they had seen to yokai was and then just as quickly as the owner had appeared they were gone. Perhaps not wanting to be in the way of someone with such a poor reputation. Iksin sighed, shaking his head as he would head out to the tree the place was most commonly known for.
The air was pure outside, it felt nice to be in such a place. However it also felt restricting. His chakra felt almost chained up....but he could also feel something else. Like his connection to nature here was greater. Regardless he would approach the tree...and immediately he would recognize the kind of yokai he was dealing with; or so he thought. As he got closer, his mind wondered. Why would a kitsune take up residence here, this wasn't exactly like them or within their wheelhouse so to speak. Perhaps it was injured during the war and the springs healed it? But he quite specifically remembered Musunde's order to the yokai through the golden dragon. They were to return home, this couldn't have been it's home? As he got closer and closer his senses sharpened more. Her chakra was...different. Way different than a normal yokai and almost similar to his own, or perhaps even like Akaran's? No it was even still different than both himself and the Oni whom he had briefly met during the war's events.
Finally standing practically directly under the branch which the kitsune lay upon. Looking up towards her sleeping form the man sighed. "This would be much easier if I could actually do anything here." He spoke in a fairly normal voice, well aware of the unique properties this area held that were the reasons behind his feeling of his chakra being chain. Honestly, he wasn't particularly sure how he wanted to address this being, he could normal tell the difference in chakra. Yokai had different chakra than humans, but this one's chakra was confusing. He could call her a kitsune but he had a feeling in his gut like saying such wouldn't be entirely correct. His voice would pick up and speak a single word. Unsure what else to do involving this creature. "Hello?"
As she snoozed Kitsune girl dreamed in the way she had since she had come to in the middle of a field of the dead, with confusing and contradictory memories that didn’t connect in a sensical way. Her dreams had all been weird and of two very different lives, mixed together and the current one she was having was doing the same. As Himiko she sat practicing a purification ritual, humming words to a spell she couldn’t remember the purpose of, wearing elaborate robes and reaching for a bowl of salt. She would then have difficultly grabbing said salt just before her head would start to hurt and a strange sticky sensation would appear, resulting in her reaching her hand that held the salt to her head to check on what was there.
Looking at her hand she would see with a great deal of shock and fear see a great amount of blood, with her salt mixed into it. Next she would fall over suddenly incapable of moving, her arm limply and palm up in her vision as something began to happen. Panicking as she could not move and pain begun in the palm of her hand, the salts igniting in a silver flame that tore her flesh away into a bubbling mess, before from the ooze a paw attached to an animal like limb would remain and a foreign yet familiar voice would call out to her incomprehensibly as she fell away into darkness as the silver fire washed over her and she opened her mouth to scream.
An unsayable amount of images flashed across her vision, most of things and places humans wouldn’t normally see, combine with a mass of emotions and words that she couldn’t understand, that is until two voices spoke out clearly, one within her dream and one without “Hello.” With a gasp and a twitch the Yokaikin woke up, her breathing slightly accelerated the sudden awakening, nor dreams had shown on her semi peaceful look whilst sleeping, the twitching of her tails was where the anxiety was realized. She was immediately aware that someone was here and due to the dreams anxiety and the locals reactions to her residency, was not entirely trusting of why this one was addressing her and unsure of his intent. Spotting Iksin with her Salient eyes and taking in the sight of the world renown bad boy, turning around slowly and poising herself in wary, an all fours like position on the tree branch, stretching the small of her back a little like a cat as her large tails repositioned themselves and provide most of her balance, besides one which dangled near Iksin and swished at him a little as a test to see his intent.
”Myyyyuuhhh, hi?” was the first words she utter at him as she lifted a hand from the tree and rubbed sleep out of one of her eyes, the other one squinting lazily at him. Despite having just woken up the way she had and the fact she was anxious over what this guy wanted... especially as he looked kinda dangerous with those intense eyes, she was pretty composed and likely hid most of her anxiety and paranoia aimed at him. Iksin would be able to tell that she was looking him over and thinking, likely out of caution and more clearly spelled out by her expression that she was a bit taken aback and curious as to why he was here. ”Im guessing you’re here to try and force me to leave? Well those people have no right to do that! And I wouldn’t attack me, last person who did was burned by the waters, meaning this lovely tree accepts my being here and only it can has the authority to tell me to go!” Fwop!Just before she spoke she’d lightly thwack her soft, dangling tail at the mans face, its fur comfortable if not a bit ticklish, her voice giving away she’d just woken up and was already annoyed due to gauging a good idea as to why Iksin was here and not to thrilled about the assumption and ready to bolt if need be.
Ooc: narrative mission - Bonds New Horizons and a nice, mean looking guy: Description: not know who she is entirely has made Reyna hermit at peace outs in springs, unwilling to leave for the place is safe and peaceful, good for the soul and unbeknownst to her, her soul needed healing. Trouble she’s brewed through petty theft and presence alone has brought someone to her, what is it this new arrival wants and what will come of this... )
The yokai before him had awoken with breathing accelerated and tails twitching. He only attributed it to being awoken so suddenly but he couldn't completely tell so to speak in this particular situation. However she also aware of him now, perhaps cautious of him. One of her tails began to swish at Iksin as she looked almost like a cat as she stretched. Iksin's hand would raise in order to lightly pat the swishing tail. Her words would reach Iksin and he made a sort of unpleasant face. Unhappy that the girl pretty much hit the nail on the head for the reason he was brought here by the owners of the inn. Fortunately she wasn't completely right though.
Iksin would open his mouth to speak. "You're half right, That's why they brought me here, but I'm much more...well...reasonable so to speak." He explained looking directly into the Yokai's eyes. Still trying to formulate what made her seem different from other Yokai, other Kitsune. That was beyond the point right now though. He would move his hand away from the girl's tails and then walk to the tree. "You're probably right, only Sakura-hana truly has the right to ask you to leave. She is a reasonable tree indeed. But she is also stubborn and can be made sad." Iksin's words held truth, speaking of the tree as though it was it's own person. His head would turn up to look at the girl once more. "My true intention however is to tell you a story, would you like to hear it?" He asked the girl. Taking a much different approach than anyone who attempted to rid the springs of the girl. He was still here to do his job after all regardless. How he did his job didn't have to be dictated by the close minded fools who gave him the job however.
The man with intense eyes didn’t cut her of nor swat at her tail, both good things even I’m if she didn’t expect him to pat back at them, the girl leaning over to look at him better and stifling a smirk at the face he made when she called him on his purpose, although that was about the only predictable thing about this fellow. He voiced his admission on what she said, at least to part of what she said anyway and the idea she’d been even partly wrong caught her intrigue, even if she would silently disagree with the concept that there was a reasonable way to ask her to leave. Well at least the guy didn’t seem like a liar and wasn’t appearing hostile in any manner so she decided to let him be closer to her, falling backward off of the tree and using her tails and the branch to simply carry he down and flip her over to her feet quite neatly. She made her soft landing as Iksin was finished speaking of the tree with more respect in his words than nearly all the locals put together and even more than herself, whom had gained a fondness over the tree and its personality which gave her the impression her was quite attuned with nature.
Having met the mans eyes with her own and tried to get a beat on him she honestly was at a loss, he seemed sincere in his words but let’s just say the rather intense face he had along with the fact the locals weren’t looking on at the show like they had the past three attempts to get rid of her, her ability to climb dumbfounding the people into submission or the scalding waters force those who tried violence... it would be quite funny if it wasn’t so bothersome and her mind was trying to work out personal problems. She was currently stuck pondering how to respond and in the moments pause whilst she was thinking, bits and bobs of information would be presented to the Sage, the first being that if he couldn’t use chakra then neither could she and she was in a humanoid form which regardless of how many tails she had, wasn’t her base form. Other things he mind have noticed was her speaking was a definite Zaishin accent and possibly from her next words, the style of how she spoke being of one who couldn’t decide if they wanted to speak casually or carry high class, “proper” vibes in how she carried herself. ”You would carry the intent of catching my interest with a story, perhaps a parable to our current predicament per-chance? Well as ya seem to understand my tree buddy better than I, I’ll listen to your story even if it’s part of some ploy, I hope I can trust that you won’t force me to do anything against my will.” She said with clear skepticism in her voice at the start, her voice becoming more apprehension when she expressed the last part, not actually trusting the man but giving him the benefit of the doubt. The Kitsune leant her weight backwards again, her tails all curling inwards to create a sort of giant cushion for her to prop herself crossed legged upon, her elbows resting on her legs as she pressed her two wrists together to cup her chin and lean forward a bit and pay attention to the mans story.
"I'm glad you agreed and I've caught your attention. But I'd have probably told you the story anyways." He said to the girl with a somewhat mischievous smile on his face. Yokai, with the accent of a Zaishin Samurai? That was not common in the least. It was odd but he would only be able to assume that she was like Akaran in that she was half Yokai with Zaishin blood too. Even being a Kitsune would make sense if she had been in Zaishin for a long period of time as they are tricksters and illusionists. But did that mean she avoided the war? Was that why she was here? Either way he would move his hand off the tree and cross his arms over his chest.
"I'm unsure just how long ago this story takes place, and it is a fairly short and to the point one. However as you're aware many people use this spring and it's waters for the healing purposes. The tree is marveled for it's beauty and accredited to the reason the waters have the properties that they do. One day a man had come hearing marvelous things about the spring and the tree. However when he immersed himself in the water it did him harm instead of good. Thinking it just a fluke, perhaps he did something wrong he approached Sakura-Hana. As he got closer his breathing grew strained until he couldn't breathe at all by the time he touched the tree rashes broke out all over his body. As he was quickly taken away from the spring he grew better. But the man's last words as he looked at the tree were that of anger. He shouted to the tree, calling Sakura-Hana ugly, stupid, a sham. I'm sure many other insults came from the man. And as he did this, each insult seemed to cause the vibrant colors of Sakura-Hana to grow more and more dull. She looked sad, her waters no longer healed, her colors no longer there. Eventually, with enough care she returned to normal as you can see now." Iksin would finish the story. Explaining the information mostly that he found out involving the tree before he had shown up. Having done a bit more research into this than most of the locals had. But what was the point of this story?
Iksin's eyes would once more shift from vibrant and healthy tree to the girl using her own giant tails as cushion. "You and me, and maybe others know you being here does not negatively effect the tree or the waters. Your presence is not that of corruption. If anything if accepted it would probably bring more color and cheer to Sakura-Hana." He said to the kitsune girl, smile still on his face that quickly turned to a frown. "But you must understand, many people will see it that way. Treat it that way. Call the inn and the tree corrupt for accepting you and your kind into it's waters. For allowing you to remain for as long as you wish. Begin to hate it, insult it. If one man's words to curse Sakura-Hana could cause her beautiful leaves to gray and wilt and her waters to stop healing what do you think such a large scale of hatred and anger would do to her? Perhaps make her toxic, have the opposite effects as on everything as she does now. And I'm not sure she'd be able to come back from that."
As Iksin explained this, he sighed. It wasn't like he wanted to think like that. He was however just being realistic. The tree is known to respond in kind to the calls and feelings of those around it. It only made sense that it would do exactly that no matter the situation. "I will not force you to leave, however I will offer to help you. Perhaps find a place that may not be as affected by your presence. The choice is yours after all."
As these two conversed with another and the story of tree was told. In these moments as if it were a sign of good faith and good will. Two pairs of cherries would sprout upon the tree and snap. Landing at both the conversating travelers feet unless they were caught. If anything the tree believed the mans intentions to be genuine as while it never was a thing that spoke...at least not to anyone's knowledge historically it could on some spectrum, understand.
She responded to Iksins mischievous with her one wry smile, before observing him with a focus like a kid at story time, a story could be interesting, especially if some comparative tale to try and sway her into leaving, it would at least serve for entertainment seeing how he agreed to her expectations. Boy she didn’t know this guy was going to ruin her excitement with this tale, it starting of as an extremely extended version of a rumour she’d heard about insulting the tree, albeit times like one thousand considering what happened to the man and surrounding area, although she still came off as rather captivated if not looking a bit touched for the tree at this point, even if she was waiting for the twist or connection to this current predicament. Her ears twitched and she literally perked up, straightening her posture at his comment of him mentioning that the she was if anything, something good for the Sakura-Hanna with her presence, thus giving an opening for the killer verbal blow.
Now her facial expressions generally were not precisely easy to read, generally portraying only a portion of her current feelings, mixed with an unrealized but reflective, honed ability to make herself hard to read. This did not apply at this moment to her big and obvious ears which lost their perk and lowered a little as she realized what he was saying and the potential truth it might hold among a few other things, her facial expressions becoming clear and honest as she shifted her gaze to look at the tree and leant forward onto the toes of her feet into a crouching position. She wasn’t thrilled by this story and one could tell, likely for more reasons than Iksin comprehended at this moment... this had been a safe place that allowed her to calm and organize her thought, with something that welcomed her and seemingly protected her(being unaware the waters burn anyone violent). Not being able to use chakra this place had helped her heal her damaged chakra network as well as her ability to store and prevent her chakra from fluctuating without warning, which it had done when she first woke after merging, an experience she still hadn’t managed to recall.
Biting her lip in clear agitation she stood up and walked to the Sakura-Hanna and placed a hand on it and looking down at the ground, ”So what your saying is if I stay, the one who gave me sanctuary and a place to heal and feel safe and welcome after my wandering about after waking up in hell.” She said with none of her prior attitude or consideration in how she did so, clearly gutted by what she had been told, balling her hands into fists as she quivered for a second and took a big breathe. ”I would like to pretend you never told me this or that I knew it was a flagrant lie to make me leave.. but.. She let the remainder of her breathe out her nostrils and two of her tails starting filling in for speaking movements, lower themselves to the ground as she looked upward and continued.
”But it would be terrible of me to selfishly ignore the possibility when I owe so much to it... even if I don’t believe I’ll find another place quite as perfect and peaceful..... The Sakura-Hanna deserves to be untainted and if my presence would put it ask risk vicariously then that’s that... Her tone was flat With a hint of despair and desperation, her hands shaking as she straightened with her bangs hiding her eyes. Then all at once her energy shifted toward that of anger and it was clear whom she’d direct it at, rounding on him quite suddenly with a pointed and a look that showed the damage was done ”Y.You SAID you wouldn’t force me to go yet thats EXACTLY what you and your story did, no need for physical force if you can play on someone’s morality.... b*****d... where can I go that would be even half as secure as here.. I d.don’t want to leave, the white eyes demons can’t find me here.” Her anger was short lived as it had shifted to fear and despair as she spoke, her tone and face showing it and the effects of immense trauma that had led her here if the first place. Brushing of the emotions at least enough to start getting a bit of composure back, turning away from Iksin to wipe at her face a little before quite suddenly the Sakura-Hanna finished showing its appreciation at the Sages darkly beautiful story of the tree history, giving her a sense of an auspicious event and a sign toward the truth the man spoke and a little of the tree true nature, the Kitsune starring at the cherry she caught before looking at Iksin as the event had derailed her a little.
Ooc:Now that was cool and unexpected XD hi Necro! ) Stamina 200/200 | Chakra 400/400
Iksin would manage to catch the cherry out of the air as it fell. He looked at it for a moment, and considered it a sign of thanks. Perhaps it would come in handy in the future, something akin to a spirit's protection. He would treasure the object until the time for that came. The kitsune was rational at least, angry but rational. Iksin was able to work with that, as opposed to the various irrational people that he could have been dealing with. He would place the cherries he caught into a small pouch that was practically empty otherwise before addressing the angry, anxious, and fear riddled yokai again. "You know as well as I that I am not forcing you to do anything. Your morality and decisions are your own, if you were a different kind of person perhaps you would stay. But you'll be leaving of your own will not the will of anyone else. It will be fine, remain with me for a short while. I may be able to do something for you."
After he was done speaking he would begin to head away from the spring. To leave the area hopefully with the kitsune in tow. However he would stop for a moment. Turn slightly to look towards the girl. "What is this, white eyed demon you speak of?" He asked, curious now that he thought about it. It was mysterious, unsettling to an extent. He wasn't aware of anything that could be described like that within Yokai or Monster lore off the top of his head. However he could just not have all the details involved. Hopefully they would be leaving to a new place to continue this conversation however. There was quite a bit he could do for the girl but with no access to his chakra he wouldn't be able to do anything at all.
He was totally correct in the fact he hadn’t actually forced her even if he’d given her incentive to chose to leave, she was just angry and he was there to be blamed and so she did, giving him a displeased look and turning her head away when he pointed out it was still her choice. Whilst she pretended to pay more attention to the cherry, walking a dozen or so yards away and pulling out a traveller bag and some outer/coat robe that was a bit damaged although if very expensive make, details that might mark its origin had been rubbed off or removed, although its origin was likely obvious. She felt around with one hand until finding a small trinkets box and opened it up whilst turned away, wrapping the cherry in a small handkerchief from within before storing the trees precious gift within there before turning back toward Iksin, pulling on the r sleeves of her robe and tying it shut loosely at her waist.
She chose to avoid one particular topic presented, something she said out of fear and reflex and without much thought to make context for him, especially as she couldn’t give a proper answer at this moment in time. ”I would rather not try explaining what they are, it’s not exactly straight forward and I’m up for thinking about them..... but but youuuu said you could do something for me..... in what way! what exactly does that mean... hmmm?” She asked, not meeting his eyes until after her response to his question to try and avoid the obvious fear her eyes would have shown, her energy shifting again as she pressed HER question upon him. She strode past him and spin around to face him, getting close to Iksins face when she went “hmmm” to invade his personal space and distract him from his intrigue on the white eyes demons as her tails sort of flailed about, attempting to fit properly and comfortably with the modified robe whilst she walked. It was about this point where she realized that his looks didn’t seem to fit his persona, he looked pretty mean but besides being direct and matter of fact he didn’t fit the bill in the least and she was urged to tell him this fact but chose not to, skipping backward to stay ahead of him before turning and slowing so she could walk beside him.
Ooc: heheh the answer to what a white eyed demon is might entertain you if you’ve not already guessed.
Edit: I forgot to specify the fact she was following him(thought I had) so I added that, Also just chose when you want to go and consider your mission complete next post) Stamina 200/200 | Chakra 400/400
Iksin watched for a moment as she grabbed her trinket box. That was probably all the stolen goods that were mentioned but that wasn't important to him. His mission coming here wasn't retrieving the stolen items from her anyways. She could keep them. As they left the area of the spring however Iksin would listen to her mentioning not wanting to explain and then go off the track suddenly becoming interested in what Iksin could do for her. A glow from his hand, as chakra could be used once more Iksin nodded. "Well, I only just thought of this...and it might not be as effective as the real one but..." He spoke. Eventually they would reach a small body of water that was nearby the springs. Nothing too fancy, and very out of the way in fact for anyone that might have tried to head to the spring. No one would ever find this thing or figure this place out.
Iksin would reach into his pouch and pull out the pair of cherries he had. His fingers would lightly run across one of the cherries. A golden glow coming from the finger as he used his chakra to pull something from out of the cherry. A small ball of what looked like chakra but also didn't seem like chakra at all. Of course this would render one of the cherries from his pair useless but if he were to help yokai and gain allies some things may be necessary.
Iksin would then place the small ball of chakra within the waters they just found. His other hand extended out and towards it. Eyes closed and another golden glow of chakra would spread across his hands. The chakra slowly formed almost as roots. That would flow down through the waters and into the ground below. Then would twist and turn upwards almost as if a tree of chakra was growing. That might have been the case...but it was also not. An almost exact replica of Sakura-hana's tree was created. Smaller for sure, also lacking in the spirit that the real tree possessed however having something similar to it that would make this small water source almost exactly like the springs. But probably not as effective if anything.
"There, it's basically your own personal spring nearby the the actual spring." He said explaining what he did vaguely without actually explaining anything. However he would once again come back to the thing that he asked about before. "Now, white eyed demons. Explain. Is there anything I can do to help with them?"
[[ooc: All good! I'll probably do the mission claim stuff after they separate, it's what I normally do. Also I don't think there's much in the way of like, places this'll work so I'm gonna say this is mostly stuff happening in a nearby place to the spring but not close enough to the spring that Iksin can't use chakra.]]
