Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Shhh!" Shikaku hissed as Timmy's volume started to rise a bit too high. He didn't mind the other boy talking really, it gave him something to focus on other than the fact they were being hunted by a most likely angry ninja. But right along the same line, if he got too loud the ninja could follow the sound right to them.

"It's a clip on!" he retorted as soon as Timmy stopped talking. "He deserved to lose it just for that! Besides, it's the one he stuffed all our things into." And he'd paid good money for his stiletto, even if he had bought it from a black market salesman using stolen coin. The thing was his and he didn't want to lose it. That sort of thing came in handy these days, and it was better to have one that wasn't blatantly stolen.

Whipping around the side of a particularly thick clump of bamboo, Shikaku grinned as the series of broken twigs and indents he'd been following turned into a full on trampled mess. Someone had come through here recently, and been in a hurry when they did it. They had to be close to some sort of village now. "Pineapples get soggy when they're overripe. Now stay quiet, I think we're close to something." Shikaku warned, dropping himself into a stance low to the ground as he pressed on through the underbrush as the trail came to an end. He moved forward slowly, trying his hardest not to make a sound, or even move the bushes if he could help it. And sure enough, he could hear voices up ahead. Signalling Timmy to stay low and quiet, he pushed forward towards the voices. It was hopefully a village, where they could rest for a bit and maybe get a map before heading home, but if it was more ninja, well, he didn't want them to spot him before he spotted them.

[Exit to Tent Clearing]



✦ Chakra: [17/17]
✦ Kunai: [2]
✦ Ninja Wire: [20ft]
✦ Razor Wire: [2ft]
✦ Stiletto: [1]

[enter from Village Gate]



"You can always choose your actions...

Athran stalked slowly through the bamboo stalks, his grey-hued eyes scanning the forest floor for any animal sign as he weaved his way carefully through the dense vegetation, making sure he made as little noise as possible. He knew that the key to a successful hunt lay in patience and a perceptive eye. He held his bow in front of him, an arrow at the ready, as he moved in a slight crouch. He wished that he'd had more appropriate clothing to help him blend into his surroundings, but clothes were not cheap, and he had no intention of caking the clothes he did have in mud and leaves. He would just have to rely on careful movement and no small amount of luck.

I've heard that deer are plentiful out here, but I've not seen the first sign of tracks. I haven't seen anything that might suggest any animals has passed this way in weeks for that matter. I had hoped I would have found a tuft of hair, or perhaps a broken branch by now..., Athran thought to himself, beginning to wonder if he was simply wasting his time. If I were at the practice range I could at least shoot my bow and see whether or not I was improving. Just as he was beginning to lose hope and turn back to the village, he spotted the signs he was looking for. A leaf had fallen to the forest floor and subsequently been pressed into the ground by a tear-drop shaped hoof. A deer had passed this way.

Sure enough, as Athran scanned the area more thoroughly he began to see other signs of a deer's passing, small, cloven indents, spaced out with relative consistency, leading deeper into the forest. An excited smile split Athran's usually stoic face as his excitement began to grow. Taking a deep breath, Athran forced himself to regain his composure before following the trail, the last thing he needed was to let his excitement interfere with the hunt. Stalking forward at a slightly increased pace, Athran weaved through the bamboo stalks, keeping his eyes on the trail except for the occasional glance upward to make sure he wasn't running into anything. He had a good feeling about this trail. He was sure that at the end of it he would find the prize he sought, and he would be able to see that his mother ate a fine meal for the first time in a long while.



[exit to Forest Clearing]

Shikaku sniffled a bit, trying to keep any more tears from working their way free as Timmy started talking again. At least he was talking instead of running off alone though. He looked up, only slightly surprised when Timmy snarled about earning respect. He knew their opinions on the ninja differed nowadays. Timmy was sticking around only for the potential of profit, and ninja magic, as he called it. Shikaku though... Shikaku felt like he finally found something that was right. When he was learning about chakra, and stealth, and tracking, and even the best places to jab something sharp for a quick kill, it felt right, somehow. A feeling he'd only ever gotten before when he was picking pockets, or pulling one of their very rare burglaries. That was the only reason he had disagreed with Timmy when they first arrived, and convinced him to stay for awhile. They still had that same argument sometimes when Timmy started to feel out of place. But he didn't think Timmy had ever mentioned earning respect from the ninja before.

After a moment, Shikaku felt his hair being messed with, and realized he'd dropped his head again, falling into thought. He vaguely recalled Timmy mentioning their past escapades, particularly the ones in which Timmy had faked his own death, and felt it was better not to reply. They could never come to an agreement on the effectiveness of Timmy's plans, and questioning it now would just incite him to do something even crazier to prove himself. So, as Timmy continued on to question his ability to teach him meditation, Shikaku gave him one of his stares as he thought. Often when they had gotten into a pinch, and something presented a problem Timmy couldn't get them out of, Shikaku found himself just staring at the object in question, or the object most related to the problem, until an idea would occur to him. So, when Timmy mentioned that he couldn't do it without him because he didn't have the instinct, Shikaku blinked in slight shock as his memory threw something up.

He knew Timmy was asking for help with hunting again. He simply didn't have the instinct for tracking that Shikaku had discovered. But, Shikaku took it in reference to their ninja training, and what he turned up surprised even him. "I think you do." he whispered, eyes wide as he returned to staring at his brother. "I think you might have the instinct. You might even be one of those naturals Segare mentioned!" he exclaimed, grinning widely. "We just have to turn that instinct into action and you'll have an aura in no time!" Tears forgotten, Shikaku stared at Timmy with renewed vigor, grin never leaving his face, though it did turn a bit thoughtful as he attempted to work out how to get Timmy to use his chakra consciously, without going through the meditation. Even he knew the meditation would only work if they found something for Timmy to focus on, and that was almost impossible to do, much less mentally.



✦ Chakra: [17/17]
✦ Kunai: [2]
✦ Ninja Wire: [20ft]
✦ Razor Wire: [2ft]
✦ Stiletto: [1]

Knew I'd be doing some waiting occasionally when I followed you. Still, here's hoping your schedule gets straightened out soon so you have more time available.

Shikaku paused at the insinuation that he'd eaten strange mushrooms, his stare of excitement swapping out for one of confusion. He'd taken Timmy along to gather some herbs the week before, and Timmy had found some odd mushrooms. Normally Shikaku wouldn't have used them for their meal that night, but Timmy conveniently forgot to tell him about them and just threw them in the pot. it was an... Experience. "What? No!" He spoke, shaking his head to clear the sudden confusion. "No. Think Timmy. Remember when that ninja grabbed us? The exploding papers?" he hinted, excitement crawling back into his voice and expression. "I asked around after we got here. They're called Exploding Tags, and you have to use chakra to activate them! They're also really expensive, because not very many people can make them, so the ninja probably was too embarrassed to admit he'd lost his. That would explain why Segare didn't know!" Shikaku finished, grinning widely once more and watching Timmy for his reaction. If he was right, that would make this whole thing way easier, and probably help Timmy focus too! Of course, they might need help figuring out how to use the information, and Timmy would probably want to test it by getting more tags, but still, it was a step in the right direction, right?



✦ Chakra: [17/17]
✦ Kunai: [2]
✦ Ninja Wire: [20ft]
✦ Razor Wire: [2ft]
✦ Stiletto: [1]

Yeah, I know I didn't give you much in that last one. It just didn't quite feel right to include this post in that one, during what should be a proper conversation.

"wait what? those things were valuable?" Timmy glanced back towads shikaku. "I don't even know what I did I swear they just kind of..." His eyes suddenly gained an odd twinkle and a smile crossed his face before he said "fwoosh". After a moments pause Timmy snapped back to reality. "Anyways I nearly burned my hands off, if I'd known they were valuable I wouldnt have did it." It took him another moment, or perhaps two and three eigths of a moment before he caught on. "Zxaata Minah! So you are saying if we get those paper things I can practice blowing stuff up instead of being quiet? So how do we get more?" Timmy began pacing slowly as his mind started throwing several thoughts at once. More than a few were completely irrelevant and pointless, but eventually he pieced enough together to make a proper plan. "So they should have more paper Yodtom in that storage tent... the tricky part would be getting in, after that I'd have the paper to work with. Sure they had a lot of guards on the place, and it is a big tent but its still a tent right? we could just cut our way through or climb underneath... Naturally we should attack in the day so that everyone is bu- Err attack in the night so they cannot s- Attack during the sunset so everyone is watching the beauty of the afternoon glow. " Timmy had turned full circle and was already walking towards the village as he spoke, as if they had already agreed on the plan. Sunset wouldnt be too far off after all and they had stumbled a fair distance from the village.

Luo Ushio
๑Ushio Clanxxxx
XXX⊗Weapon Masterxxxx



๑๑๑๑ As Luo exited the thicker parts of the forest with Athran and found one of the smaller paths leading towards the village, he found himself feeling a tinge of pity for the boy behind him. It of course was not because Athran was potentially one of many students who may or may not have been incapable of killing, and it of course had nothing to do with his statement earlier. What he had said was truth, and he had a sneaking suspicion Athran let alone most anyone was capable of catching on to his thought process on the matter and why he said what he did. No, Luo felt pity because unlike many he held respect for those older than himself. Not only this, but Luo particularly held respect for the mothers of shinobi children. After all, had it not been for his own mother, Luo doubted he would've had the confidence he had within such a clan as his own. Plus, it didn't hurt that she was beyond adept at handling senbon and had no qualms teaching him.

In his short life, Luo found that the one criticism he had consistently been given by his father was that he was too forthcoming, too trusting, and too kind. Often times Luo spent his money and even his supplies on helping those in dire need, and in a select few of those instances put himself in serious danger.Of course the fact his heart was still beating was a testament to his success in handling these situations, however a clan so steeped in pure logic could not fathom why he would take such risks, and in his personal time no less. Despite his seemingly cold demeanor, compassion was something Luo's mother imparted on him, a trait his father saw in her which had initially piqued his interest all those years ago. And although Luo's mind had the capacity of an Ushio, his heart had always been the product of his mother's teachings. Knowing full well the life a shinobi lived, she had forced Luo to recognize that one's way of life was not simply determined by skill alone; there were certain factors which could not be accounted for. Quite often these factors contributed to the downward spiral of the downtrodden, and in time Luo came to find most of these factors stemmed from a quite unfair political regime. It was perhaps this same trait that caused his grandfather and clan head Hideki Ushio to take such an interest in Luo in the first place.

Considering his leisurely pace, Luo had hoped Athran was capable of keeping up and coming to his side in pace as he pressed forward, noticing in the distance a pair rushing towards the village gates. Based on the stark white hair of the younger one who had darted off first, Luo gathered Shikaku and Timmy made it back safe, and hopefully with no run-ins with tigers. Without so much as a glance to his side Luo began to speak as the path widened and met up with the one which led towards the gates. "At this stage in your life, it is rather crucial your diet remain balanced. Not only this, but as the man of your household it is your duty to provide for your family so that they may as well eat well."

The statement itself seemed to be yet another jab at Athran's inability to bring home a kill, however Luo's mind had already put that instance away. No, Luo was simply speaking in an attempt to keep up with his own mind. "I have a store of dehydrated venison, and you are welcome to stop by before heading home to take some for yourself and your mother." Luo unlike most others apart from his councilor counterparts was too attentive to not notice the malnutrition not only Athran, but his mother showed in their physique. The boy was strong and smart, and Luo could tell his mother was a big influence, however he could have been a lot stronger if his diet was up to par. Not only this, but Luo quite often refused help from anyone in the village for any reason. Not that he was against people performing services for each other, he was just a rather independent person. So when Athran's mother cleaned neighboring shacks or even helped cooked for others, Luo found himself quite often respectfully declining. In fact, Athran may not have been aware but quite often his decline came with a few silver to compensate for her time.

Still, Luo wasn't going to make this easy for Athran. The boy was one of his students, and like the other councilors it was imperative he treat all of them as equals. This of course, meant that nothing was done as a favor but done in order to receive a service or pay in return. Knowing full well he neither wanted nor needed payment, Luo concocted a service of his own choosing. "This invitation is open whenever you find yourselves without, however it is not without its stipulations. For every instance in which I give you meat, you must hunt with me. It would not be fair for me to do all of the work alone, and just as well based on today I am confident in saying you may need supervision on your own hunting trips. When we hunt, the rules shall remain the same as they do in the classroom. That is to say, regardless of my demands or commands, you will follow without hesitation. Furthermore, I ask that you never inform your mother of our agreement. That is all I ask for. If these terms are something you can agree to, then so be it. However, if you choose not to I would highly reconsider. Not only will you be forgoing a well balanced meal, but just as well you will be forgoing hunting experience you can use to later free yourself from these stipulations. Consider this hunting trip an upfront payment on what I give you today, so from here on out is were this begins. Sound fair?"

Luo's tone denoted genuine curiosity, however you wouldn't have noticed if you'd stared at the young man whose eyes were set on the path ahead with hands in pockets. He wanted to know what the boy's answer would be, and mulled it over in his head whether Athran would go for it or not. It was certainly something Luo found to be interesting in a day that was filled with boredom after a spar with Segare, not to mention after his last statement to him Luo couldn't help but feel curious as to whether or not Athran was capable of making a decision that in the end may have more of an impact than he expect. It was a lesson in and of itself, and Luo wanted to see if Athran was capable of passing.

(EXIT TO VILLAGE GATES)


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Timmy continued walking, but conversation quickly stopped. Instead he kept muttering incomprehensible whatsits and whodads to himself, as if calculating an extremely long equation in his head. "-and then we could... Lets just leave that on the shelf. If you think we can find another way I will give you a day. If we dont have chakra paper tomorrow we take the lot." Timmy did want to just take the tags and leave, if he truly was a natural he could pick up on this jutsu stuff and learn the rest on his own. Though Shikaku did seem to feel a bit of a match for this world, a concept that troubled Timmy deeply. First, it meant he had completely misjudged the boy, and second Timmy knew the day would come when he left the village. Whether Shikaku followed was becoming questionable. we will stay, for now, until I can use my endless wit and boundless subtlty to surgically remove the nature of the- To get Shikaku to stop wanting to stay here. He quickly turned towards shikaku and stopped, dead in his path, before declaring a second time, as if he wasnt really saying it before. "Okay, so what we will do is, you try and get the paper stuff. If you cant get it by tomorrow afternoon we break into the tentshed at sunset." He bowed his head slightly to acknowledge that Shikaku had the floor. "does the court have any objections to the ruling?"

((Meeeeeh. words. Cant. Find. Correct.))

[entrance from Village Gates]
Tomoki skidded to a stop, his shoes actually digging into the ground and leaving tracks where he'd landed and where he'd stopped in the forest floor. "Crap, now I gotta fix that." He said sighing. One of the rules was leave no trace, which he didn't think he could do well, since he'd be leaving small bits of bamboo sticking out of the ground. But this was the area where the village had been pulling the shoots before, so there were some left over tiny shoots still sticking up. There's be quite a few more by the time he was done. A smile spread across his face as he walked toward the shoots, and began chopping them, one hatchet in each hand, crouched and just walking around the perimeter of the small clearing.

~~~

A while later Tomoki let out a sigh, and stretched his arms. They were actually starting to stiffen up, like he'd worked them more than usual. "Huh, I guess this is a fairly decent workout. Though I guess not stopping helped." He said, standing up and wincing as his legs popped. "Oooooh, holy crap that's better." He said stretching his legs. He'd been crouched for a long while, thankful he'd been leaping before, otherwise his legs would probably be hurting quite a bit.He had one hundred pounds of bamboo in two fifty pound bundles, give or take. Sliding his Hatchets into his clothes, shivering as the cold metal hit his skin that was once toasty, He hefted the two bundles into his arms, resting them on either shoulder. He shrugged a bit under the weight, straightening his back and tilting his head from side to side. It wasn't often that he had one hundred pounds on his shoulders anymore, having left behind all of his old training equipment with his old master's family. "Okay, time for some sprints and crouches." He said, a glint in his eyes. He'd finally gotten the chance to practice like he'd used to, since he didn't have the money for weighted clothing since he'd gotten here. Tomoki got into a solid stance, and bolted, or at least bolted as fast as he could with bundles of bamboo the size and weight he held, which was honestly about a normal human's jog pace.
[Exit to village gates]