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Raine held the blue bird tightly, his fingers wrapped around it's powerful wings. Once again he had forgotten to grab a cage as he walked back he made sure to grab one before he left. AS he pushed through the people in the street, who now seemed to be accustomed to seeing him carrying around parrots, he thought of how lucky he was that he had managed to catch four out of the five bird, and that it must really not have been that hard. Yet he didn't let himself get too confident. He couldn't let that last bird go.

Raine arrived to the man who smiled and began crying again. His eyes were puffy and red, yet he cage the bird and hugged it as if it was the only thing he had ever loved. "Oh thank god. My little Pudding. Oh Sweety Pie! Thank God, I've found you!" He looked up to Raine who glared with frustration, "I mean, this nice young boy had found you!" He kissed the cage and Raine pulled away in disgust. He grabbed the last cage which was relatively small and set off searching the skies to the back of the market, where the road had been destroyed.

DC:13
Roll:5+6

Seeing as the Uchiha boy stressed all the more about his Sharingan. He paid little to no attention to his travel around the ever so peaceful and loosely populated street of Otogakure. Even so it was so peaceful these streets had been washed with much blood throughtout the violent history of Otogakure. Not many knew of where it's many common day conflicts and problems came from, but Ryuuku knew all of his ancestors knew. It all lead back to Uchiha Sasuke and his relationship with the devil on earth Orochimaru, but long story short Otogakure's many present day problems come from Orochimaru. As well as many of the Uchiha's many day problems which add onto Ryuuku's problems right now. For instance because of Orochimaru's interaction with the Uchiha the clan now has disgrace and evil pressed with their name. This also affects Ryuuku because his interactions with people always turn for the worse when they find out he is an Uchiha. Kinda like right now as he bumped into people thinking about his Sharingan they looked to his hair and declared he was an Uchiha and instantaneously believed him of intentionally bumping into them. The people would then give him snide remarks such as "get outta the way ya damn kid" or "Friggin' Uchiha" Although maybe this wouldn't be the case with the man he bumped into now. The man was blonde and was looking to a museum and all Ryuuku could do was say "sorry" and hope the man would forgive him.

As Ryuuku awaited the man's respose all he could do was cringe at the thought that this man may not be in a good mood. He also didn't find comfort in the fact that this man will quickly see he is an Uchiha and punish him for it. All of the thought and fears were discarded when the man said one word. His voice gave off such understanding and warm welcoming that it blew Ryuuku's mind. Ryuuku's jaw dropped for a moment as he he was hearing this man's kind and understanding words. He then realized that the man gave him a quick look over this meant that the man was figuring out he was an Uchiha and again Ryuuku feared for the worst. Then the man continued with the kindness in his voice completely disregarding all of the evil the Uchiha clan had been associated with. This man actually showed interest in the fact that Ryuuku's veins flowed with Uchiha blood. Ryuuku then responded to the man he now realized was named Akio Ryuuku shook his hand."Yes I am an Uchiha, and it is a pleasure to meet someone with such respect for my family" Ryuuku paused for a moment to give Akio a quick look over he looked like a person of experience, but he was too young to be a Jounnin maybe a Chunnin. Ryuuku continued. Ryuuku had only continued talking to the man because he saw this as an oppurtuniy. A oppurtunity to learn. This man was so kind it didn't seem in his nature to refuse teaching Ryuuku if he asked so Ryuuku asked."Sir I couldn't help but notice that you maybe a Shinobi and I am a Academy student would it be to much to ask for you to teach me the Academy jutsu".

Ryuuku was slightly deflated when this new aquaintance had said he wasn't really a Shinobi, but he was elated when the man spoke about knowing a few jutsu. Ryuuku's idea was that he could activate his Sharingan when the man displayed them to him and if he was correct he would be able to copy the jutsu with little to no effort on his part. Although for now Ryuuku would be asked if he could lead the way to a training grounds. Normally Ryuuku would do so gladly, but he desired to learn the jutsu now. A common Uchiha trait to desire power. Before Ryuuku could respond and tell the man what he wanted to do in this situation Akio quickly hopped off attempting to charm a woman in to telling them the directions. Then just as quickly Akio came back grabbed Ryuuku's hand and ran off with him when Akio finally stopped running all Ryuuku could say was "What was that all about! I just want to master the Academy jutsu not get caught up in some sexual fiasco!" Ryuuku calmed himself and sighed "The only training grounds I know of are the Gennin training grounds right next to the housing district follow me..." Ryuuku then lead the way down the streets of Otogakure to the training grounds to master his jutsu and more so importantly use his Sharingan's most infamous ability.
[Exit to Training Grounds]

Raine ran though the busy streets. The daylight pressing down on him with heat. He felt so glorious in the sun, with the busy people all around him. Dash was okay, and he finally felt a connection with Xen. For the first time he felt as if they were a true team. Not only that but now he knew that they were all united in the same quest. The need to protect what they love.

"I'll protect what I love no matter what."

Raine remembered his own words, and somehow this had all happened when they were fighting each other. He smiled and thought of the ancient proverb, that you can see inside another's heart only by exchanging blows. It seemed so true with what had happened.

The boy set to the back streets and walked downward for the open rice fields. He knew it was the only place that he could be alone, the only place that he could do what he had planned. It was now that his mind turned to years ago with Hatchi. When they had trained through the day in the water, the small boy had never trained so hard or for so long before that time. It was then that the great sennnin asked if they would journey around the globe. Raine let his gaze drift off. I was so stupid then. I was so young. I didn't know what I was getting into." he hung his head low, f it meant saving Hatchi-senpai, I would have never gone." he let his bright blue eyes flicker to the sky. I still feel so confused. If only I could remember what happened that day. He kicked a rock at his foot and sighed to the breeze. It had been so long since then, he didn't know why it still bothered him so much. Back then he really didn't care, but looking back the situation made him so frustrated. He needed to know..... where did Hatchi go?

(Exit to rice fields)

(Oh no it's okay, I'll ju- MEGA POST. *Chuckle* But no it's fine. I understand, you've got a lot on your plate with everything going on.)


Xenon followed along with Kasuke silently, his expression nothing but a respectful facade the entire time. He respected authority, and more so power. So long as he served Otogakure, and Kasuke was it's Kage, he would honor that, regardless of personal feelings.

Then Kasuke began to speak once more.

"This is a very powerful thing you've found. No doubt from where my predecessors put it."

"This is an invaluable weapon, Xenon, and I thank you for that. Obviously you know what the scroll possesses." he looked over the boy once more. "You may or may not grasp, the kind of power that this possesses. It is a strength tainted by blood and evil."

Xenon now tried to subdue his somewhat depressive smile. Yes, it was going exactly as he'd expected. How could he possibly have expected any differently? A strength tainted by blood and evil? How quick they were to cast aside their so called ideals of equality when the chess board was turned, those "heroes of justice." The Snakes had hearts and minds of their own, they were a people unto themself, one not directly contacted in nigh centuries...true they were dangerous, but all power was such. Yet to the people of Oto, time had done little but cloud their vision... he sighed, albeit quietly.

"This is why I have no intention of ever using the scroll."

Xenon merely nodded. Everything was going well, exactly as he'd guessed. "I understand Kasuke-sama." 'You're afraid. Afraid of what you would become if you took up the power that the tainted hands before you held...there is no shame in that.' Xenon thought to himself. No... there was no shame in that at all, in a way, Xenon actually preferred that quality of Kasuke. He may not see things as Xenon did, but he was still not an unreasonable man. Fear was not a bad thing, it was that fear, Xenon suddenly realized, that made him strong. Perhaps he should look at his Kage in a different light after all. The Fear of evil, no, of BEING evil, was an admirable trait in it's own way.


They were approaching a single stone building now as the others seemed to fall away behind them, Xenon's eyes strangely drawn to it.

"If you don't know this place, it is that of all our evils. The ones that you and I share alike. It is a place that holds them, keeps them from passing those stone walls."

"I believe in peace. Death and power are sad necessities in the interest of this village."

"That is why you will be the soul possessor of the snake contract.

Xenon's eyes widened ever so slightly. He'd accepted that quicker then he'd thought...but then as he'd already know, Kasuke was a reasonable man. Even if his eyes were pure, his mind was not dull. They were Shinobi after all.

As the slightly rotund woman approached them, Xenon's eyes wandering about the place, he completely ignored slight stab at his age. He was entirely used to being judged by how many years he'd seen pass, luckily, it was one of those things which would pass with time. Specifically with the passing of time in this case.

"It is necessary."

The woman began to lead them down the shadowed passage, Xenon reaching up to adjust his glasses, as he finally spoke. "No matter how thick Kasuke-sama, stone cannot keep evil at bay. You're not solving the problem, nor even locking it away." he looked at his Kage sidelong. "You must know that you're merely locking the means away... akin to putting a child lock on a cupboard. As you said necessary, but eventually the child will grow up, and come back seeking what was inside that cupboard it could not open before." he looked at the contract. "I found that contract at the center of a labyrinth that was designed to drive it's victims mad, fraught with waves upon waves of lethal traps. Yet there it is in your hand." he looked back ahead of them sternly. "I'm not trying to question your methods...but you do know, that if peace is what you desire, you cannot merely attain it with locked doors and mazes...don't you?" his gaze shifted to Kasuke again, his eyes more earnest than anything else. No you had to change the hearts of the people...

He was truly measuring the man now, Xenon's own stance neutral on the issue of peace, but also able to see the situation for what it was... could this man? This man who seemed to want it so fiercely? Or was he merely pursuing an illusion? He looked away "No, forgive me, that was impertinent. You need not answer."

Xenon sighed, but still he had a smile on his face. "What you call evil is nothing but an artificial construct, and what you call peace is an illusion yes, but at the same time I do not think I would say it doesn't exist. An illusion is merely the misinterpretation of an already existing phenomenon, that is the first rule of Genjutsu. I believe the apt term is, where there is smoke, there is fire." he returned Kasuke's gaze. "Peace, I think, is the interpretation of what you have brought to this village. Even if it is not the illusion of peace people might see it as, I do not think that I would say it's nothing." he sighed "No, I think you've done well..." he seemed more contemplative as he said this.

"Nor I do think it is unfair to say that someone of your power could bring absolute peace...but..." he frowned "Should the day come when you tried to inflict absolute peace on this world...I think I would have to try and stop you Kasuke-sama. You are right to see that humans are not meant to be completely peaceful, absolutes are beyond their grasp, but I for one prefer them that way. Trying to inflict an absolute upon humanity, would only serve to ruin them." he was smiling now at the glowing seal. "No...you are right to fear that path." he lowered his glasses slightly, looking more sternly at the seal clearly. "But still you misinterpret my meaning, what I mean to point out is that even casting the means into the deepest oblivion is only stalling for time." he put his hands in his pockets. "The only way to protect anything, is either to persuade the will holding the opposing power, or to possess power greater than the opposing power. I'm not opposed to either, but the latter of course, means war." he fell silent, feeling he'd said enough. He knew that he shouldn't be speaking to Kasuke so plainly, as though they were on equal footing, but Xenon felt as much now. He didn't empathize with everything Kasuke believed, but at the same time he felt he could understand this man now. Yes...he would lend his power to this man's cause...at least for a little while. Someday he knew he intended to remove himself from politics, the eternal pointless struggle, but for now... he didn't mind.