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Haru, true to his abilities, cleaved through the whole army that had come to slay Mistress. But he did not escape unscathed. Eventually, as he watched the army retreat in fear as Rain's control over them weakened, he sunk to the ground. If Kirigakure had a hospital, and if their citizens particularly wanted him around as a reminder of Mistress' oppressive reign, they would have saved him. However, both conditions were lacking and Haru was moved to the harbor and dumped into the sea.

The invading army had cut through the forest on their way to the office, and the genjutsu had claimed many of their number along the way. The futility of their efforts was perhaps best shown when just the very next day the forest was whole again and the bodies of the foreign dead were nowhere to be found.

Hagane nodded as he heard Zirca welcome him to the Witch Market, “Is it like some kind of bazaar or something?” He felt Zirca’s chakra enter his system right before the Genjutsu hit him so he was aware of what happened. One minute he was facing deeper into the forest then he blinked and he was facing the road again. He new it was an illusion but that didn’t stop him from being impressed by it. Hagane heard Zirca ask him a question and it started him out of his study of the genjutsu, “Hmm, oh yeah. Doesn’t bother me if we walk for a few more minutes, I’ve been walking for a week now a few more minutes won't matter.” It was the oddest thing in the world, some of the stuff that Hagane was telling this man he hadn’t ever told anyone. There was just something about him the inspired trust and respect. Hmm it must be what my grandma calls charisma. Wish I was that way it would have made my journey here so much easier.

Over the course of his journey Hagane had been forced to buy supplies from farmers and passing travelers. The prices they charged were outrageous but he had never haggled with any of them, he just want to get his stuff and move on. Several wagon travelers had refused to take him with them even though they were going in the same direction. Then when he finally got here he had gotten lost in the mist for a whole day before finding his destination. In retrospect it was very lucky that Hagane had made it to the village at all,

Hagane was still slightly uncomfortable with the man arm on his shoulder but was starting to get used to it, and he was forced to admit, to himself if no one else, talking to someone and interacting with them was very soothing to him. Of course he did not like this relaxing of the guard so was very sour on the inside at his own emotional weakness.

[will save: 10+1=11 pass]

“Hmm, I might have to go there sometime and look around,” If the rest of the people there were like Zirca then he knew that it couldn’t be too bad, and who knows later when he becomes a full ninja he might actually be able to find some useful things there.

Hagane nodded his head when he suggested the spot under the tree, it was nice and shaded so the sun wouldn’t bother him. “That spot looks perfect.”, Hagane relaxed a little more in Zirca’s presence actually giving a smile to the man, one of only three smiles he had given to anyone in three years. As they walked over to the shaded spot Hagane took a moment to inspect the Genjutsu more carefully than before. It’s like a work of art, the way they weaved the different aspects of the Genjutsu together creates a seamless illusion. The time and energy that went into this is amazing. It looks so simple but has a depth and power that astounds. The Genjutsu reminded him faintly of a man one time he had seen in his village.

A travelling artist had stopped in his village to sell his paintings; he had wonderful works of art. Portraits that seemed to come to life, nature paintings that seemed to capture the light of the sun and the smell of the grass. All day Hagane sat there in the front room of his house and watch as the man sold all of his paintings one by one. Around dusk the man started to pack up and head to the local when Hagane, acting on impulse, ran out of the house and stood in front of the man. The artist stared down at him and made eye contact for a minute before reaching in his portfolio and pulled out a drawing, “Here son this is for you.” Hagane took the paper from the man’s hand and stared at, “What is this, its nothing like any of your other paintings and drawings.” The artist smiled at him, “That’s right this is my masterpiece. At first it is just a blank piece of paper, plain in all of its ways. Then you look and things start to appear, possibilities that waiting to be manifest. This is priceless for one who understands and worthless for those that don’t. That paper is you, the possibilities that swirl around you waiting to be made manifest is your future and everything you can be.” The man looked deep into his forest green eye, “And I believe that you will surpass the beauty of any of my paintings, all you need are the tools to do it.” He patted Hagane on the head and walked away leaving the nine year old boy staring at piece of paper.

As Hagane sat eating under the tree with Zirca he finally understood what he was talking about. Then and there Hagane decided that while he would become a Medical-nin he would also strive to perfect Genjutsu so that one day he could live up to the possibilities that surrounded him and pass it on to the next lonely boy or girl he saw. He felt a strange sensation flowing through his body, and at first he couldn’t figure out what it was, then he realized for the first time in long time sitting under a tree eating a sandwich with Zirca he was happy.

Little did Hagane know at the time but the things he decided in that moment would affect his life until the day he died, they would give him power to usurp the obstacles that would appear in his life.

[will save: 15+1=16 pass]

((Sorry I didn’t post yesterday I had to work some schedule stuff out with my school))

When Hagane heard Zirca ask about his name and his life he slowed down his chewing, becoming slightly apprehensive. What should I tell him all of it or nothing? He sat there for a minute before he decided to just tell him all of it. “Well, for starters my name is Hagane. I come from a small village to the south of Kirigakure, about seven days walk, where I was raised by my grand parents. My mother died while giving birth to me and my father took off shortly after that.” Hagane paused for a minute wondering if he should tell him the reason his father left. Before he left the village his grandmother had saw fit to tell him why his father hadn’t stayed around. She thought he had a right to know. “I was taken in by my mother’s parents and they raised me as their own son. When I turned ten my grandfather died and asked that I be brought in on the family business. I come from a long line of undertakers on my mother’s side. So for two years I helped my grandmother with all the stuff around the business. In fact it was my job to prepare the bodies for burial. On my twelfth birthday my grandmother told me to leave the village and head for Kirigakure. She told me I was too good for this place and that I needed to make myself into something. She gave me some money and enough food for three days and here I am.” Hagane had decided that he would not tell anyone the real reason why he had been sent here or the difficulties he had faced in the village. The one thing that Hagane despised more than anything was pity. He took another bite of his sandwich and stared aimlessly at the ground waiting for Zirca to say something.

Hagane gave a little smile at the compliment, “Thank you,” his smile turned a little cynical after what Zirca said about his family, “Don’t worry I don’t take offense to much, and your right. Over the course of the last three generations something been wrong with everybody born in our family. My grandmother was born without her left hand and her mother died during birth, my mother was partially blind and died giving birth to me, and I was born without a left eye.” He let out a little sigh, “As you can imagine after that the village tended to avoid our home and our family. It also didn’t help that we were the village undertakes.” He finished off the last bite of his sandwich and picked up another. Hagane smiled a little at the comment about the volcano, “I guess that would help things a bit. Well I do enjoy your company but I have a feeling that I should probably go and get registered then find myself somewhere to live.” He said this with a look of weary on his face, he wanted nothing more than to lie down and fall asleep right there, “I would appreciate it if you could show me where I need to go.”

[will save: 17+1=18 pass]

((XD this has never happened to me before. If I was only training crying ))

Hagane stood up as Zirca gently pulled on the shoulder of his haori. He crammed the last of the sandwich in his mouth before setting off after Zirca. Well I should probably not come here again by myself or at least until I can beat this genjutsu by myself. Hagane was truly able to say to himself that he had really enjoyed the time he had spent with Zirca and looked foreword to having another talk with him soon, but first things first he need to start his education. He smiled to himself, All in all not a bad weeks work.

((sorry bout the short post))

[will save: 1+10=11 pass]

[Exit to Village]

Shinzu followed Batsu rather non-chalantly in the deep mist, after all he'd just faced life or death mear moments ago in the Grove. So yeah this was nothing, though it was creepy, Shinzu wouldn't able to ever deny that. He did gulp slightly as he entered the building that had once been the office of the Mizukage, but now held the Council. As he entered he looked around and didn't know where to go. "Ummm Sensei, which way do we go to the council?" He asked as he was thuroughly confused.

Batsu immediately became even more intimidated when the doors swung open and there were a row of tables with at least 5 people having a seat at them. The boy tried his hardest to hide his fear and he walked up a few feet away from the tables. The boy then took a knee and placed Monica on the ground. It looked as though he was sacrificing the girl to the gods or something... and he felt that way as well. Batsu stood back up and looked towards the Council. "Here's one of the people that you requested to be captured." The boy then stepped back and watched as the higher-ups stared over at Shinzu who was carrying the second fugitive on his shoulder.