Hoshi Kadaj, The Rebirth

[DonEmu]

Training Index:
1.Introduction: (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=453342&postcount=2)

2.Tree Walking:
||Part 1 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=453944&postcount=3)||Part 2 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=454098&postcount=4)||Part 3 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=455015&postcount=5)||

3.Weapons Training
||Part 1 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=554299&postcount=7)||Part 2 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=554644&postcount=8)||Part 3 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=555248&postcount=9)||Part 4 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=555898&postcount=10)||

4.Shunshin No Jutsu
||Part 1 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=638160&postcount=12)||Part 2 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=639211&postcount=13)||Part 3 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=639530&postcount=14)||

5.Pallor Mortis/Bloodline Growth
||Part 1 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=642903&postcount=16)||Part 2 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=645882&postcount=17)||Part 3 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=649163&postcount=18)||Part 4 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=649311&postcount=19)||Part 5 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=650380&postcount=20)||Part 6 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=650688&postcount=21)||Part 7 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=655148&postcount=22)||Part 8 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=676497&postcount=25)||Part 9 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=677005&postcount=26)||Part 10 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=679489&postcount=27)||Part 11 (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showpost.php?p=679548&postcount=28)||

[DonEmu]

Today I leave you as a child, the path I have chosen to walk you are too weak to follow. Stay alive and appear in front of me a man, and then we shall see what destiny will befall us both.
– Hoshi Dojin
***

Those words were the only thing Kadaj could remember about his father. The last thing he said to his son before he walked out the door never to be seen again. Leaving this child to live alone, the genin always asked himself; why?

Life was harsh; he had no delusions concerning that. Nothing in this world was meant to be fair. The strong survived and the weak perished. If he died on these streets then so be it but if he lived then he knew it was because he deserved to. What he learnt on the streets those cold nights was that a person had to survive by any means possible. He knew the theory but putting that into practice was hard, there was always those things called pride and honor.

The youth lived his first few days one scrap at a time, he wasn’t living, he was surviving.

He nights were plagued with the same recurring dream, the back of the man walking away, just walking, uncaring, leaving everything behind. Soon this would be all he cared about.

Kadaj: I will live, and I will stand before you one day.

It wasn’t long before he was rescued from this life and raised by the state. His name was known, at least one thing his father left him. Taken in by the state, living as an orphan, there was nothing to do but immerse himself in his studies, in his books and in his strength. To be a shinobi, to face him like a man one day, for that dream and that dream alone he would keep walking, keep living…no…keep surviving.

***

[DonEmu]

Kadaj stood in the middle of a large clearing which was encircled by various trees. Close to the center of the area stood three wooden stumps which were about three feet high. This was a semi-popular training area, used occasionally to test and train young genin. The land was famous for having been a place frequented by many a previous “Kage” and here he stood taking in this great heritage.

The grass swayed gently as a slight breeze blew across the area. The place area was quiet and time seemed to be static. The genin was momentarily trapped in euphoria, his mind only snapping back to reality with another squall. He had come there to train not to be trapped in nostalgia. He had stepped on these ground many times before as an academy student, today he stood here as a full fledged shinobi; a genin.

He looked around to survey the area with much more detail, the light of the sun bouncing of his eyes caused a slight shimmer, or so it seemed, in actuality he was seeing more than he should and that was the only sign, that one little flicker. No one seemed to be around watching which was good, he wanted his privacy. His pupils seemed to glisten once more for a split second.

With that out of the way he turned his attention to the tallest tree he could see. That was why he had come there in the first place, to train; basic tree-walking. The fundamentals of chakra control needed to perform jutsu. At the very least he felt he had to attain that level before he could comfortably walk the streets of Konoha with his head-protector as a ninja.

Kadaj (Thoughts) : This place will do fine, it has the right atmosphere and I will be able to focus and concentrate at the task at hand.

The youngster carried his lean 5’7’’ frame with some degree of elegance. He had the posture of a samurai and his bluish-purplish hair blew easily against a gentle breeze. He had his kunai holster strapped to his thigh fully packed. His katana was slung over his shoulder, various runes written on its scabbard.

Kadaj had stepped up to the tree now and was investigating it with a learned gaze, taking in the subtle details. Its thick smooth bark seemed firm. The tree was extremely wide making it seem almost completely flat when looking from one side. He pegged the diameter to be about 3’6’’; its length upwards was another matter though. Looking straight upwards, he could not come up with an accurate measure of the height of it.

Kadaj (Thoughts) : This would also do nicely.


***

[DonEmu]

The genin understood the basic principles around the bout of training he was going to undertake. Tree-walking as it was called was a very effective chakra training exercise. It involved the individual gathering chakra to their feet and using that energy to climb up a tree merely by walking. This was only possible by bringing out the correct amount of chakra. Any less and the person would slip, any more and the person would be pushed off the surface. The amount of chakra he knew was to be minimal but precise and the difficulties were compounded by the fact that the feet were the said to be the hardest part of the body for a person to gather chakra too.

Kadaj took a few steps back away from the large tree. He seemed to lean forward a spread his legs, he was going to take a running start. At least he would see how far he could get trying to burst up the tree. He closed his eyes and took in a few deep breathes to study his nerves, and then he jetted forwards as fast as he could.

His feet made sudden contact with the firm and grainy surface of the oak, he was ascending fast. With each step the journey got harder and at about ten paces up the side he could not go up any higher, he kicked off violently at the tree sending him spinning backwards, back flipping and landing on the ground once more. Obviously that wasn’t an effective technique.

Kadaj : I better get serious…

He walked up calmly to the foot of the large tree. The genin closed his eyes and concentrated, he molded his chakra through his body and to his feet. This was much harder than he thought it would be, maintaining a steady flow to his soles was very tricky. Slowly he stepped up the plane of the tree.

His first step was to gauge what needed to be done. His right leg was still well planted on the ground while his left was appended onto the face of the large oak. He was only concentrating on the task at hand. His foot seemed to have been latched onto the tree so he bravely lifted off his right leg and also planted that firmly on the surface of the tree. He didn’t wait standing around perpendicularly to the tree with his back to the ground, he begun to walk up the side carefully but at a slight pace. With each step he readjusted himself, adapting to the situation, hoping to get just the right amount.

He soon realized that conditions seemed to change very quickly and becoming accustomed to these subtle changes was the key to staying on the plane. It wasn’t long until he had passed the ten pace mark and was still climbing higher and higher. The higher he went the more extreme the strain on his stamina seemed to be. Kadaj felt like gravity was working overtime now. Twenty paces and now he couldn’t go any further; he eased off the pedal so to speak and slid slowly down the surface and back to the ground. He would rest for sometime before continuing with his practice.

***

[DonEmu]

He felt well rested, he had drained a little of his chakra already but he would give it one more try before calling it a day. Kadaj stood up and walked back towards the tree. The genin molded chakra to his feet once more; he realized that the process was much easier this time around than the first time he had done it.

Kadaj (Thoughts) : Hmm…Interesting…

He took his first steps with some degree of uncertainty. He was unsure if the first time around wasn’t just a fluke. Slowly he crept up the surface one step at a time. His mind was focused on one thing alone and that was channeling his chakra to his feet to create the suction effect.

The sun by now was now starting to set. It was late afternoon. He had spent the better part of the day training and not paying heed to the elapsing time.

He had now passed the ten pace mark and was going strong. Fifteen paces, twenty, this time he wasn’t feeling as fatigued as before. As he got higher though climbing got more difficult. Once he had passed twenty paces he could now feel an immense strain not only on his stamina but on his muscles. To append him was getting extremely hard, gravity was tugging at his back. Thirty paces and now he was through, he could not carry on any further, easing of the chakra slowly, he begun to slide of the tree until he made contact with the ground once more.

Kadaj (Thoughts) : All done for the day.

***
*Tree-walking training done
-Chakra control improvement

[Bartimaeus]

Approved yuh hommie

[DonEmu]

Path of Honour or Deception

It looked like just any other day in the great village of Konoha . The birds were chirping, the kids were playing and the shinobi scurrying about doing their daily duty. And indeed it was a typical day in this great hub of the ninja world. Kadaj seemed like any other face in the throng. On his back he was carrying his katana and an oversized boomerang. This would seem out of place if there weren’t people loitering around openly with equally dangerous equipment. This may not seem normal to an everyday person, but this was indeed the closest to normalcy that a shinobi would have.

He walked alone and silently through the crowd, bumping his way towards a dojo that was situated close to the Nara clan base. Kadaj was no longer content with his level of skill. He would now start working on his basics, and that was his blade skills. The sword, Kotegiri , a Masamune creation had been passed to him by his father, that man.


In sword, no sword…

The genin stopped in his tracks. The whisper seemed to come from nowhere but at the same time everywhere. He had recognised that voice from a long time ago, calling him, beckoning him like a dream. Now from the shadows it resurfaced.

Kadaj : In sword, no sword..?

Female Voice : Oh, Kenjutsu huh!?

He looked up to see three familiar faces peering at him with some degree of depredation; Taki , Rangiku and Aramaki . It seemed he had suddenly been locked in thought in the middle of the road and had been day dreaming for quite sometime. The whispers in his mind had echoed out of his mouth.

Kadaj : What did you say?

Taki : In sword, no sword…it a phrase from the Muso-ken.

Kadaj : Muso-ken?

Aramaki : If you are going to be working on your kenjutsu skills as Taki here and your equipment are implying then come with us to my clan dojo. I am sure she will help you out…

Rangiku : Yay! The more the merrier…I am going to work on a new song…

The three of them were his team-mates; they had gone on a mission together through the deserts of the sand. Their lot was to retrieve a stolen Konoha scroll. Now they stood before him extending a helping hand, who was he to say no. The Muso-ken that Taki spoke off, he had to know, what it meant.

Aramaki : What are we idling around here for? Let’s go slowpokes, I got jutsu to practice.

Funny they had a full conversation already but as they walked as a unit towards the dojo they finally exchanged the morning pleasantries, the hellos and how are you doings. The clear blue sky was nice and bright. The birds could be seen soaring in the air. It was just another typical day in the life of a ninja. Kadaj would have it no other way.

***

[DonEmu]

The dojo was wide and square in proportions. Kadaj wasn’t able to gauge more accurately the actual dimensions but the place seemed large. The floor was wooden; the doors were sliding papers panels. This looked more like the home of a traditional Japanese samurai warrior. The four shinobi, three genin and one chuunin surveyed the arena. Kadaj was the only one who was experiencing this place for the first time.

Aramaki : Sweet digs huh, well later.

Aramaki and Rangiku turn to leave, Kadaj catches the Nara by the arm, turning him around to face him. A quizzical look was on his face.

Kadaj : What do you mean later?

Rangiku : The two of us are training outside; I don’t want to catch anyone by mistake.

Aramaki : I am working on clan jutsu, gotta keep’em secret you know. Plus you two need room to train.

They walked out of them room snickering. There was something behind their actions but Kadaj was oblivious to this fact. His mind was on only one thing, training. Actually it was on two things, training and that voice.

In sword, no sword…

Taki : Stop daydreaming and get over here to the center, we will train together.

The two walked towards the center of the building. As they moved Kadaj tossed aside his new boomerang. It was a Christmas gift from his secret Santa, just what he had wished for Christmas. Today though, he would work out the kink he had been having about this sword out of his system. Kotegiri had been passed down to him by his estranged father, Dojin . The blade was supposedly an original Masamune work; strong and sturdy and sharp enough to cut a falling cloth when its sharp edge was facing upward. Lately carrying the weapon had been a bother, it seemed to be growing heavier, the strange sensation he got when he was close to it was unnerving him.

The stood facing each other, hands grasping the hilts of their blades. Taki was a battojutsu practitioner, she fought using dual swords, in this case kodachi. Kadaj only had the single weapon.

Kadaj : So what is this Muso-ken?

Taki : A long time ago my father taught me what it meant, he also said that because I couldn’t see it for myself, I was a failure. Let us stop talking and let our blades do the rest.

Kadaj drew out his sword slowly; the blade shimmered as it came out of its scabbard. Taki was twirling her twin weapons in her hands. She had a look of insane delight spread across her face, that damn sadistic smile that gave him goose bumps. He brought his blade upwards and slashed downwards violently. She sidestepped to her left guarding with her right weapon, and then lunged forward at his torso with her left blade. He took only a single step forward towards her momentum to get her aim of course, and then swept his blade across his front parrying her strike away. Taki twirled around with his blade sweep, using the momentum to twist and spin her left leg at his head. His only hope was to lean back and watch almost in slow motion as her spin kick grazed his chin. Kadaj had lost sight of her, his vision impeded by her flying foot. As he looked down it was too late, he saw he thrash forwards with her right elbow, and she was standing almost perpendicular to him. She rammed her arm into his lower ribs sending the genin careening backwards and falling back onto the floor.

Taki : That was pathetic. Are you sure you are a man…brat!

Kadaj (thoughts) : I know one thing for sure, you are a bitch.

He stood back up, even though the pain reverberated through his very core. She was a good, way better than him. He wondered why she was called a failure, what was it that she lacked.

Why do you refuse to acknowledge me boy…Why do we not fight together…Why do you not listen to…

Kadaj : What am I not listening too? What cant I hear?

Taki : Are you losing it brat?

She came at him again; there was a degree of controlled wildness if there was such a thing. She slashed with her left, then her right, lashing and thrusting. Kadaj parried, ducked and dodged. The onslaught was intense and he could barely catch his breath. His palms were sweaty thus his grip was loosening. He couldn’t find an opening to counter attack. She was completely overwhelming him and she knew it, she even cackled sarcastically as she continued. Each hit seeming to grow heavier. The pressure was undeniably high. He was feeling the sensation of the sword getting heavy again. Then his gripped finally gave way and sword went clambering to the ground…

He didn’t feel the pain grow; it came at him all at once. It didn’t happen as he was struck on his right shoulder, as the blood oozed out and he slouched to the floor next to his sword. He didn’t feel it even though he was well aware he was cut, he felt it after it all, as he sat there, wallowing in his failure but he would not cry or utter a sound. He was now lost in darkness…

Do you give up so easily…Are you really a Hoshi…You are not alone…

Taki : You are a failure…Might as well tell you the Muso-ken…In sword, no

The whisper came from his mouth, it was almost inaudible but she heard it, she choked on her own words. A cold feeling filled the dojo…the room. Kadaj stretch out his right hand and gripped his blade. He was calm; the pain was now just at the back of his mind. It was in the past and the past only existed as a concept of the mind and the future was the concept of what was to come. The only thing that really existed was the present.

In sword, no sword - sword becomes one with the body

In body, no body - body becomes one with the Kami

Like a firefly circling, shining with natural brilliance

No hesitation, no deception, no thought, no barrier...
The words floated out of his mouth as he stood up. They were always there…the path was his birthright.

Taki : Muso-ken…”no-thought sword”…His new stance is just like…

***

[DonEmu]

Kadaj was standing upright now but his face was still towards the ground. He seemed to be locked in a trance. His movement was fluid, unhindered, like a slow ripple in a bond. He took one step forward with his left leg and leaned into it. Gripping closest to the blade, right under the guard of the hilt with his right hand, his left underneath with a slight gap between the two hands. The point of the sword was facing downwards and he didn’t hold the blade across himself completely. The katana was titled forwards slightly as it was point to the bottom right. His right leg was almost perpendicular to the forward facing left leg and almost completely flat on the ground, firmly planted for support. This was the stance of…

Kashimi Shinryu Kenjutsu

He then lifted his head up high, looking proudly forward at his adversary.

She had regained her composure somewhat from the initial shock of realising his mental transformation. Taki could see clearly that it seemed like Kadaj had just experienced an epiphany. The way of the sword came naturally to him and he and his sword had begun to resonate as one. She stood firm, her own resolve could not waver at this juncture. She was the teacher and he was the student.

Taki : You really wanna go another round?

Kadaj : Are you going to come, or are you going to just stand there and stare?

She rushed at him again, as always she was the aggressor; a role it seemed she loved to play. That was all well and good, Kadaj had no thoughts of being the one to attack. His growth would happen if he lies in wait for her attacks. She came down hard with the kodachi in her left hand, the sound of metal clashing rung loud across the area as he parried her downward strike by shifting his blade across his upper body. Taki came at him hard and fierce though. Continuously attacking, one blow after another, slashes and thrusts, kicks and jabs with the hilt and Kadaj answered more firmly this time, only doing the necessary movements. He wasn’t exaggerating any of his swings, only doing what was needed. His movements were more learned. His timing was getting better and he could better anticipate her next movement but assuming wasn’t smart and it could get him seriously hurt or worse.

Kadaj (thoughts) : Now…

He then stepped forward into her, stabbing his sword towards her hefty and well endowed chest. She was taken by surprise by his sudden switch to attack. He had easily found an opening amongst her barrage; it seemed she was getting sloppy. Fatigue was beginning to set in. She trapped his sword between her two blades halting its movements. Kadaj pivoted while twirling his sword and slashing downwards onto her. She blocked the blow again with both weapon, forking them like a scissor. He had completed his pivot and swept his blade upwards parallel to his body as she stabbed forwards with both her blades. He was no standing to her side, she only shifted her weight, her feet a little to get into a good position. Taki was forced to stop before puncturing though, because his sword was also on her throat.

Rangiku : I wasn’t expecting a draw.

Aramaki : Yeah, well done Kadaj.

The pair of combatants looked upon their peers, they hadn’t even noticed them coming in. They still had those wry smiles on their faces. They holstered their weapons; the sparring was over for now.

Taki (thoughts) : I can’t believe it was a tie.

***

[DonEmu]

Rangiku (thoughts) : Taki is probably taking this quite hard.

Rangiku : Aramaki, why don’t you take Taki for a walk?

Aramaki : Yeah sure, I need a break as well.

The two of them were thinking along the same lines. Taki was a notorious sour loser and a draw was as good as a loss in this situation. Separating the pair would be good. Aramaki walked up to Taki and grabbed her by the arm. He was now practically dragging her towards the exit and then outside.

Rangiku : I think they are out for some ice-cream.

Kadaj : I am heading home, later…

The genin begun to make his way towards the dojo entrance, he was leaving. He moved along the wall to retrieve his discarded boomerang. Rangiku quickly jogged forwards to catch up to him as he reached the door. She caught up and reduced her pace, matching him step for step.

Rangiku : Mind if we talk?

Kadaj : Whatever…

Rangiku : You were really good. Taki is royally pissed. You weren’t as skilled though, or as strong but you seemed to be improving as the fight went along. Your change of behavior took her sure by surprise.

She said all this with an innocent smile on her face. Kadaj wasn’t sure he had ever seen her angry or at the least as angry as Taki acted most of the time. It was a wonder to him why these two were best friends. What secrets did they share that held them together and how did Aramaki fit in.

Kadaj : How long were you watching for?

Rangiku : The truth, from the moment you started we snuck in. there are other entrances other than the main entrance. Aramaki knows them all.

They were almost at his crib, talking had made the journey seem shorter than it actually was. Rangiku had kept him from thinking of the confusion of what had happened earlier. It seemed he was making new friends, real friends.

Rangiku : Well this where I leave you, I got to go back and do my own training.
Kadaj : Oh, okay.

Rangiku : Also, why don’t you buy a backpack, make it easier to carry that boomerang around. I can teach you how to throw it if you want, just look for me, though I don’t know how to activate the tornado.

Kadaj : You took a good look at it didn’t you.

Rangiku : Duh! Later.

She turned and walked away, back the direction they had come from. Kadaj’s mind didn’t wonder off too much though, he turned around and made his way back home to drop his gear. He was tired, the day had been more strenuous than he had expected. He would take her up on her advice and go shopping for a backpack and maybe stock up on a little more equipment.

***

[papfles]

What you’ve learned

blade skill increased slightly
contact / unison with blade initiated


My CC:


Spelling mistakes:

Sometime => some time
it a => it’s a
them room => the room
The stood facing each other => they stood
he saw he => he saw her
She was a good => she was good
Cant => can’t
his gripped => his grip
titled => I’m guessing “tilted”
it was point => pointed
he lies => he lied
its movements => their movements
with both weapon => weapons
He was no => he was now
Sour loser => mostly “sore loser”


loitering around openly


I suggest turning around this structure: openly loitering around


He walked alone and silently


alone and silently do not for the same connection with “to walk”. “Silently, he walked” or “Alone, he walked silently” sound better.

his basics, and that was his blade skills.


His basics, and those were his blade skills.


Funny they had a full conversation already but as they walked as a unit towards the dojo they finally exchanged the morning pleasantries, the hellos and how are you doings.


I’m guessing there is a “how” missing after “funny”. If not, then I don’t understand what you are trying to say.


took her sure


Sure took her

Some punctuation problems with a few sentences: a dot that should have been a question mark, a single capital letter that wasn’t there, and such.

It was a very pleasant read, especially since I had just read your mission. That meant that the characters were familiar to me, and the mission was tied in into the storyline, which I appreciate as well. It did seem as if you rushed the latest posts, because some rather stupid mistakes were made. Proofreading should have helped weed those out.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9569/norrisapprovedxq5.jpg

2 XP given

[DonEmu]

Shunshin No Jutsu

Kadaj’s journey up the stairs of Mount Hokage was a long and boring one. He had woken up early today, much earlier than usual, all for the purpose of training.

Rangiku: What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for ages.

Kadaj: It took some time to get ready.

The girl in front of him was Rangiku. A new friend and colleague he has made going on his last mission. She was far more experienced than he was so he elected to accept her invitation for training. It was quite the invitation, banging at his window at dawn demanding a rendezvous.

Rangiku: Cheer up grumpy. I thought you were the type for these kinds of weird, Spartan training sessions.

Kadaj: Whatever…

She seemed peeved by his indifferent attitude but her face still bore that infectious smile.

Rangiku: Humph, did you bring what I asked.

Kadaj pulled out a small scroll from his pocket and tossed it to her. She unfurled it, scrutinizing its contents before tossing it back to the genin.

Rangiku: Shunshin…well it is basic so I can teach it to you. Taki would have made a much better teacher though but I thought it best to separate you two hot heads for now.

Taki was another new acquaintance . Kadaj could not truly being himself to use the term friend. Their previous sparring session ended up becoming quite the dicey affair. Though it did help…

Rangiku: Stop zoning out, we got work to do. I am gonna have you zooming around before the end of the day kid.

Kadaj: What first?

Rangiku: Well first drop and gimme some push-ups, then we will move on to sit-ups and leg crunches.

Kadaj: What the hell for?

The smile on Rangiku’s face seemed to become more menacing even though her expression did not change in the slightest. A cold chill run down Kadaj’s spine. He had never gotten this feeling from her before. It was getting windier and small dust storms begun to form. It atmosphere seemed melodramatically ominous.

Rangiku: By being here you have agreed to my training style. So drop and gimme fifty!


***


An hour had passed; the first portion of the training had consisted mainly of physical exercises. Kadaj had done as he was instructed with no questions asked, no complaints. The sleepiness had left him quite early; fifty push-ups had a way of doing that to a person.

Rangiku: That should be enough for a warm up.

Kadaj: That was just a warm-up?

Rangiku: Shunshin requires you to be in physical shape, I was just checking out how strong you were.

Kadaj: Hmm…

Rangiku (thoughts) : As I thought, this is going to be a little strenuous on him considering his physical performance.

Kadaj: What now?

He was slightly out of breath and a little tired, the cold breeze was helping though and he was smart to carry water with him to keep himself refreshed. The stars in the sky were now almost all gone with the sun peaking over the horizon, its light threatening to swallow the moon.

Rangiku: Well get the scroll out and read-out the details to me.

Kadaj: Body Flicker Technique
Name: Shunshin no Jutsu
Type: D Rank, Ninjutsu, Supplementary
Availability: 1
Element: None
This jutsu allows for high-speed movement over short distances. To the observer it appears that the user had teleported. This is performed by using chakra to temporarily boost a user's reflexes. Longer the distance traveled, the most chakra used up.
THIS JUTSU IS WATCHED EXTREMLY CLOSELY IN COMBAT

Rangiku: So any theories of the mechanics?

Kadaj: Seems like I heighten my movement using bursts of chakra to cause rapid acceleration?

Rangiku: You think up all that just on the fly?

Kadaj: I’ve had this scroll for quite sometime you know…

Rangiku: Well your guess was pretty close. An intelligent analysis and in its simplest form I guess you could describe the jutsu in that way but mere bursts of chakra cant really cause this…

There was a soothing hushing sound, like the wind blowing across the face of a tree with a hollow creating a subtle whale like whoosh. Kadaj had been looking directly at his tutor but her image seemed to waver and fade like an illusion leaving behind dust clouds at her feet and what looked like bamboo filings floating in the air.

The touch on right shoulder from behind came before the calm feminine voice…

Rangiku: A jutsu like this with such finesse can’t be so raw don’t you think.

Kadaj: Have I told you how much I dislike people coming up behind me?

Rangiku: Ah! You never seem to lose that cool…Well go for it.

Kadaj: What?

Rangiku: Learn the jutsu!

Kadaj: How, all you did was make me read it out loud, then explain it as I understood it, then you did it?

Rangiku: There is no true success without failure. You need to learn that with your body. So I am just gonna shut up and watch you for now.

Kadaj (thoughts) : I am starting to think she is even a bigger bitch than Taki.


***


Kadaj had a small nosebleed. His body was slightly battered and bruised. He had smashed into the ground a few times already.

Rangiku: Hehe…Lord you are quite dumb sometimes.

Kadaj: Shut-up…

Kadaj (thoughts) : Damn, channeling under my feet and using that to dash in the direction is just sending me tripping face first into the ground.

Rangiku: With your technique, you balance is completely off. Shouldn’t it be time for you to be trying out another method?

Kadaj (thoughts) : Well if it isn’t about merely dashing forward, then concentrating on only my feet is totally retarded.

He was sweating and perspiring profusely now. The genin closed his eyes and studied his breath. He begins concentrating, molding his chakra and drawing it out from his core. His hands are placed in a Ram seal to help with the process. Then he distributes the chakra across his body carefully and methodically. As the energy coursed through him…he let loose!

Rangiku (thoughts) : Now we are getting somewhere…

The sensation was dizzying, like he was being lurched forward. Though the movement was of his own accord he still felt a pang of motion sickness. His sight dimmed as he moved, suddenly tunneling, if only for those brief seconds.

Rangiku (thoughts) : Three…no…four yards. Seems he has finally thought up the correct method.

Kadaj: Hey! Did you see th…

The world was still around him, the dimming begun to set in again. This time it wasn’t due to the jutsu, or not in the same way. Kadaj fell forwards, the strength in his body lost from all the arduous training. As his body angled forward, he felt soft pressure on his chest and his movement halt before he blacked out…

Rangiku: You can be quite annoying sometimes kid but good job so far.

She lay him down slowly onto the ground. Her own skills with 'Body Flicker' allowed her to catch him safely.

Rangiku: Best to go find you some food.


***

[DonEmu]

He could feel the warmth of the sun’s heat on his face as he stirred from his slumber. A cool breeze blew across and it sent a slight chill down his spine. As he opened his eyes he was temporarily blinded by the sudden light. He tried to sit up but then his head throbbed insensately.

Kadaj : Uugh!

Rangiku (whisper) : You are finally awake again.

He tried to sit up again and this time as the pain shot to his head, she bent, leaning down beside him…

Rangiku (whisper) : Lemme lend you a hand.

She placed a hand on the small of his back and another behind his head, helping him up right. His eyes had adjusted to the change in lighting. He wasn’t fully awake though, his mind was still a blur.

Kadaj : What time is it?

Rangiku : Almost midday, you slept through the morning. I didn’t think it wise to wake you up in your condition. You needed full rest.

Kadaj : What happened?

Rangiku : You need more chakra control training and some exercise that is what happened. You fell over like a bitch due to the strain.

Kadaj : Was I…that useless…

She sat next to him, giving him a slight, friendly shoulder nudge. Her contagious smile spread wide across her tanned face. Kadaj couldn’t help but snicker under his breath at his own words.

Rangiku : Shunshin is a jutsu of smoothness and transition. Not just raw thrust. You needed to learn that for yourself. You got it at the end though, but the distance covered is totally useless.

Kadaj : Just what I need! A lecture…

Rangiku : Oh shut up…There is some food to your right, eat up and when you are up for it we continue training…

As she stood up to walk away, Kadaj reached for the food and then realized something. He had been lying on a mat all along and he had been covered to his waist in cloth. He stared at her, perplexed as to why she took such good care of him.

Rangiku : Whatcha looking at? Don’t you want the food? I cooked it myself.

Kadaj : Sorry. It’s cool.


***


He felt the strength coursing through him again. The bouts of nausea were gone. The food and water had just hit the right spot. His muscles still felt sore but his joints felt loose. He was ready to continue the training. Rangiku was seated on a large rock a few yards ahead of him. He began to walk to her location.

Rangiku : Hold it right there! Shunshin your ass over here!

Kadaj : Urgh!

He closed his eyes and molded his chakra. The energy flowed out from his center. Opening his eyes, he focused on her location. And then released …

The sensation came again, like being extremely heavy yet weightless at the same time. His vision tunneled onto her and he seemed to float forwards towards her. The contrast was quite startling and it was no wonder he was overwhelmed the first time around. Even now he still wasn’t used to the feeling. A small puff of dust blasted shot up from the ground as he lurched forwards. The strain was a little too much and he let go prematurely, a few yards away from Rangiku .

Rangiku : You need better distribution of your chakra and a little more precision and focus.

She then disappeared from his sights again, leaving the bamboo filings floating around. She appeared about fifteen yards to his right.

Rangiku : Now come to me…

Kadaj (thoughts) : More precision. I must hold on to the chakra more. The release should be a little more calculated.

Rangiku (thoughts) : That was about five yards…he is still standing and not looking too weary. Things are going a little better now for sure.

Kadaj (muttering) : Precision…

Rangiku : Come…

He honed in on his target, visually and mentally. Kadaj took in a deep breath, and then drew out his chakra. As the power run through him he concentrated. He needed to better use the energy he was channeling. He concentrated on his thighs and calf muscles as he burst forwards.

Rangiku : Eight yards…keep going…

She flickered to another location about fifteen yards from where he stood once again.

Rangiku : We are going to keep doing this until you can reach me and keep up…

Kadaj : Aye!

Wry smiles spread across both their faces.


***

The two of them were darting back and forth, drawing lines across the dirt floor.

Rangiku : Pretty close…

Kadaj : Almost got you…

At that moment a crow descended from the skies, landing on a large rock a few meters to the side of the clearing. On its leg it had what looked like a little chit of paper attached.

Rangiku : Hold on…

She walked up and took the message, reading the contents silently to herself.

Rangiku : I’ll be back. Take a rest. Fatigue is setting in…

Kadaj : Sure…

Rangiku (thoughts) : After some rest you could easily cover the distance. We can continue this later.

With a wave, she disappears.


***


He was standing alone in a dark empty alley way which led to a dead end. This was behind the Ichiraku Ramen stand. The place was littered with garbage and filled with the smell of rotten vegetables and meat. He paced back and forth, and then suddenly the still wind quivered.

Man : You got here pretty slow…

Rangiku : That kid is quite energetic, next time you train him.

The man steps out from the shadows. Even in the darkness his konoha headband and glasses seem to shimmer. The clothing was generic Chuunin.

Aramaki : Well I guess next time would be my turn, Taki had her turn before.

Rangiku : Whatever, we are almost done. Lemme borrow your crow.

Aramaki : Whatever…


***

[DonEmu]

It was a full moon and the night sky was littered with stars. The sun had set a few hours before. Kadaj had rested for the rest of the day, the first part of the instructions that had come to him by crow.

Go take a nap
Get your sword ready
Meet me at the business district after sunset.

Even at night Konoha was still a busy place. The busy streets were teeming with both civilians and shinobi alike. The genin walked through the crowd, plying his way through. The note was extremely vague on exactly where to meet.

Three figures looked down on him from above as he made his way. They stood on the roof of the weapons shop, one of the larger buildings. Even in this place, which was amongst the most well lit areas in Konoha, they seemed basked in shadow.

Woman : Oh, he’s early.

Man : Knowing him he was restless throughout the day.

Woman Two : Why am I here too?

Woman : What’s with the attitude? Aramaki said you were asking about the training so I thought it would be fun for you all to watch.

Man : Don’t worry Taki lover-boy wont know we are here.

As they spoke all three crouched and leaned towards the edge of the roof, peering at their counter-part below. Their faces were now better illuminated.

Aramaki : It’s slung over his shoulder…

Taki : How do you plan on getting it from him?

Rangiku : Well I plan on just asking for it…

Taki : You are always the smart-as…

There is a sudden burst of wind; the bamboo filings fill the surroundings.

Aramaki : She is really in the mood. She didn’t bother to liste…

A second gust; the dust blends with the bamboo filings and they both fade away.

Aramaki : Drama queen.


***


Rangiku : Welcome…

Kadaj : Where did you come from?

He had basically been walking around in circles, going from one major working area to the next looking for her. Rangiku had suddenly appeared in front of him.

Rangiku : I see you brought it…

Kadaj : Why don’t I like that smile on your face? Yeah, I have it.

Rangiku : Toss it here?

He was a little confused about the significance of the sword on his training but he relented. After all she was the teacher, he promised to follow instructions. Whipped the blade of his shoulder and chucked it to her.

Rangiku (thoughts) : Just as expected, this is…

Kadaj : Well…

Rangiku : If you want this back, then you have to catch me first.

Kadaj : What! That is absurd.

Rangiku : This is a little game of tag. This entire area with the exclusion in inside the buildings is game.

Kadaj : But!

She was already gone. Her signature rattan trail was getting boring. He had already chased after that all morning, now he was forced to retrieve his valuable katana from her. Without anymore hesitation and thought he flickered through in search of his instructor and his sword.

Aramaki (thoughts) : Looks like our boy has created a little distraction of his own.

Taki (thoughts) : That looks like shredded strips of dark cloth.


***


Aramaki (thoughts) : They have been going at it for some time now.

Taki (thoughts) : That kid will be running out of chakra soon.

Aramaki (thoughts) : He is going well to match her for pace, his distance also seems to be combat effective.

Taki (thoughts) : He makes twenty-five yards easily.

Aramaki (thoughts) : I wonder where Taki is watching from?

Taki (thoughts) : I hope Aramaki doesn’t notice I stayed and am still watching.

By now people had begun to notice their little ninja game of cat and mouse. Some people amongst the throng had begun to take part. Directing Kadaj and trying to give him aid in where to look next. Little clues here and there were also left by Rangiku when the trail seemed to have gotten cold.

Kadaj : I really have no choice; this isn’t just about Shunshin anymore, finding her location is a total bitch.


Just a glance speaks of a thousand things; you drown in their passion to see through untruth.


It was like a cloak had been brushed away from his sight. He saw through the darkness now clearer than others could dream. Finding her with his power would be far easier.

Taki (thoughts) : His chakra feels different.

Rangiku (thoughts) : He shouldn’t be able to see me. This game could take all night. Wait? Where is he off to?

Kadaj : Game over. You certainly didn’t make this easy.

Rangiku : How did you manage to se…get behind...?

Kadaj : The distance wasn’t the issue, getting here without you moving away was. Trying to push me by always running right before I got there and always increasing the distance with each attempt. You really thought this thing out.

Aramaki (thoughts) : Not bad…

Taki (thoughts) : That was a few yards short of forty. Thirty-five, thirty-six maybe? He didn’t move in a straight path…

Kadaj : My sword…

Rangiku : Here, sure…Congratula…

Kadaj : I am tired, off to bed. Goodnight.

Rangiku : Disappearing all of a sudden. So pretentious.

She couldn’t hide her happy smile though, even when her two colleagues zipped down to her side.

Aramaki : Taki , so you didn’t leave.

Rangiku : How was the show?

Taki : Did you check out the sword?

Rangiku : Straight to business huh.

Aramaki : I am feeling as impatient as our dear gal here.

Rangiku : Humph! Fine. The runes on it are the same as the ones from last time. Or at least they are the same type of runes; obviously the exact writing is different.

Aramaki : So the fact that this kid is the only fourth member of our team to not be killed on a mission is not just a matter of luck.

Taki : So, he is part of all this too.

Taki ’s clenched fist went unnoticed…


***

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

As promised Don, except I went for tea before judging this instead of going straight to a computer to do this lol.

Shunshin No Jutsu learned.

It was well written, the characters are distinct entities with their own voices, always a difficult task to achieve with dialogue. I also quite enjoyed the playful lighthearted nature of the jutsu training with an underlying learn as you go plot.

I wish I could give you XP for this, but the rules say no XP for jutsu training :(.

I don't have a photoshopped approved thing but there ya go lol, approved.

[DonEmu]

Pallor mortis

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/DonEmu/esrb-teen-logo-lrg.png


She was running at full speed. Her breathe was erratic and her arms were flailing about. Her fear was apparent for all to see, but there was no one to see and that was the problem. She darted through the dark alleyways of the burrows. There was no sound other than the clapping of her shoes across the cold, damp, stone and concrete floors. Every turn seemed to be the same. She was sure she was running nowhere, but she had to run. The sky was moonless and starless. The shadows seem to engulf her. Her usually bright blonde hair was now seemingly a shade of gray within the darkness.

Blonde (thoughts} : Oh god! Please help me!

She stopped at a four-way fork. She had no idea which direction to go. She didn’t know these streets and she had no natural sense of direction. All she knew was that she had to get away. Get to a place with people but here in the burrows, no one cared. They all slept silently behind locked doors and bolted windowsills. She picked right and kept going…the night was getting colder.

The pursuer was following at what looked like a leisurely pace. He wore black dressing shoes with rubber soles that masked his footsteps. He was in black trousers and a plain white long-sleeved shirt, a skinny black tie and a long black coat that reached his knees. His hands were in his trouser pockets. His face was hidden by the shadows of the night except the line of his mouth which was spread in a maniacal smile.

Man : The little mouse can’t get out of the maze.

His laughter echoed through the streets, but only she could hear him.

She had reached a dead-end. There was no were else for her to run. The blonde was becoming hysterical. Her legs were trembling. She was sweating profusely. A chill run down her spine. It was the end of the line for her.

Man : Little mouse has reached a dead-end. Sorry but this isn’t the way out.

She turned to see her assailant blocking the only path out. His psychotic smile the only feature she could make out in the darkness. His presence was menacing.

Blonde : I beg you. I don’t want to die. Please let me go! I didn’t do anything. I won’t tell anyone I promise.

Man : My dear little mouse. There is no going back. The fun has only begun.

She looked left and then right, still not resigned to her fate. Looking out for anything; an escape route, a weapon, anything. She looked forward again…he had closed the gap.

He had lunged at her with animalistic desire. Striking out with his left palm he latched onto her face and smashed her into the wall. The blood oozed down from the back of her head, she was dazed but still conscious. As he let go she slumped to the floor. She was still aware of her surroundings but her muscles refused to obey her commands.

Blonde (thoughts} : Get up and run! Please…

Jolts of extreme pleasure coursed through the attackers veins. He looked down at his latest prey. She was so beautiful, everything from her pasty ivory skin to her large d-cup breasts but what attracted him most to this little urchin was her gold hair. He grabbed it, dragging her along the floor to make more room. He let go, then kicked her over so she was now lying on her back. He crouched over her body…a tear run down her left cheek. She could barely muster out the words…

Blonde : Please…

He had drawn his blade. Even in the darkness it glistened. It was a cutting knife, the blade was exceptionally sharp. It had never been used, fresh out of the packaging. He had just recently bought it from Wal-Mart. She tugged hard at her hair and then placed the blade at her temple. Her scream echoed into the night…into nothingness…


***


Female Anchor: This just in. A dead body has been found at the lower end of the Red-Light district.

Male Anchor: From the information we get from our sources. The victim seems to be female in her late teens.

Female Anchor: Not much info has diffused out of the crime scene but we are told this could be the work of a serial killer that has been terrorizing the villages and cities of the fire country.

Male Anchor: That gets you thinking huh. This psycho is pretty confident if he has actually come to Konoha.

Female Anchor: This story and more at our mid-day news report. And now for the weath…

Kadaj turned of the set. He was seated at his desk eating break-fast, corn flakes. News of a murder wasn’t exactly the best way to start the day. He had no plans for the day, no missions, nothing official. He might delve into his weapon’s cabinet and pick out something to train. He had a slew of tools he owned that he had no real skills with. He was particularly interested in trying out a nifty little boomerang he had.

There was a sudden knock at his door.

He looked through the peep-hole. It was a delivery man. Under normal circumstances he would have asked the individual to identify himself but he knew this man. He opened the door…

Kadaj : Hey Bob. Wassup?

Bob: Got a delivery for ya. Seems you won the lottery. Just sign here…

He signed the release forms and took the tiny package. He vaguely remembered entering a lottery a little while ago after his first mission. He had no real experience with paychecks and didn’t know what to use the money for. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, it seemed to have paid off. The box was small and white. He placed it on his desk and tore open the packaging, he never saved the wrapper.

Kadaj : Hmm…

His prize was a Himagatana, with a little lightning insignia on the handle…


***


Aramaki was reading a book. He liked to read at the early hours of the morning. He barely had any free time having to work all those multiple jobs. Sometimes being gifted was a curse. His door slid open, Shikamaru stood at the opening.

Shikamaru : You got a call from the police force. There has been another incident.

Aramaki : Was it close to Konoha this time?

Shikamaru : I guess you can put it that way. It happened here. At the burrows. Get dressed and get ready. You are going to be the profiler on this case.

Aramaki (thoughts) : Why can’t life be boring for a change.

The clan elder turned to leave the room…

Aramaki : Senpai?! Do you mind if I make one phone-call.

Shikamaru : What about?

Aramaki : This would be a convenient way to kill two birds with one stone.


***

[DonEmu]

The crime scene was packed with people; police, ANBU, Crime Scene Technicians, and the plethora of reporters and inquisitive citizens who wanted to take a peak at the scene. The police were keeping them at bay though; giving room to the CST’s to do their jobs. The ANBU seemed to be nothing but a mandatory presence; they were taking no action, just observing the situation.

Aramaki had just arrived at the scene. It was still mid-morning. He had come immediately after placing one call. He was dressed in gear quite similar to that of the police force. The attire was reminiscent of the generic jounin attire, but the primary color was black. He was wearing black long trousers with a black long sleeved shirt with no distinguishable markings and topped off with his chuunin vest. His long black haired tied into a pony-tail. He wore glasses.

He walked forward with a quiet confidence, his hands placed in his pockets. An identity tag was clipped to his chest, to his left. He was the profiler from the police department. A specially trained chuunin in investigating crimes of this nature, he was an unofficial ’Special Jounin’ .

Officer One : Welcome sir. You finally made it.

Aramaki : Sorry I am late. Had to come prepared.

On his back he had strapped a thin by long summoning scroll. He kept whatever equipment he deemed necessary sealed within it. It took him time to gather materials; he didn’t really have an idea of what the crime scene was going to be like, besides the gruesomeness. He had crouched next to the body.

Aramaki : Where is the investigator in charge?

Officer One : Over there sir.

The police shinobi pointed to the end of the alleyway. There stood a tall, brunette woman. She was dressed in a black form hugging cat-suit from neck to toe. Her curvaceous body more than filling the material. It was like the gods took their time with this masterpiece. Her long brown hair was tied into a long braid that drooped over her back and reached to the backs of her knees. Her blues eyes could be seen glowing even from these meters away. Like a deep pool drawing Aramaki in. She was an old friend; this wasn’t the first time they had worked together.

Male Voice : Hey, let me through, I was told to come here!

There seemed to be an increase in the commotion going on at the blockade. The police didn’t have enough man-power as it was and someone seemed to be causing quite the racket. Aramaki recognized the voice though. He yelled over all the noise…

Aramaki : Let him through! He’s with me!

Police Guard : Brat!

Kadaj : Jackass…

The genin walked towards his colleague…

Kadaj was dressed quite differently from his normal working attire; light khaki trousers and a long sleeved white shirt albeit with the shirt sleeves folded to his elbows, brown loafers with a matching brown belt, the small blade strapped to his waist seemed to be the only weapon he was carrying. The first button undone in casual manner. He looked nothing like a shinobi and everything like an everyday citizen, if not for the weapon of course.

Aramaki : So you decided to show.

Kadaj : Today is my day-off. This the murder thing?

Aramaki : Duh! I need a…

Female Voice : Who’s the kid?

She had closed the gap between herself, Aramaki and Kadaj while the two met up and conversed.

Aramaki : As I was about to say, I need an assistant for the day.

She looked at Aramaki quizzically. For as long as she has known him he hated working together with people, especially those he felt were less gifted than himself. They often slowed him down she remembered him remark at one time. Though she had come to hear that he was now in a steady team with two girls but this was still out of character.

Kadaj : I seriously have no idea what you three are up to but I will play along for now.

She was now giving Kadaj the look over. She studied him from head to toe. He looked more like a bookworm to her than a shinobi. He seemed to have a little dagger like knife strapped to his belt though, his right side. Blue colored hair though; she could tell he died it. He probably had an image problem; this seemed to be in contrast with the confident manner with which he spoke. There also seemed to be something going on between the two boys.

Aramaki : Well if that is a yes then we can start with having you take a look at this.

Aramaki stood up and moved to the side. Until this point Kadaj had not yet set eyes on the corpse lying in front of him. The naked female body before him was unnervingly pale. It looked more like an ivory sculptor than a corpse. She had no blemishes on any part of her body except a large hook shaped birth mark he could make out on her large left tit. Her arms and legs had been spread out, almost formed her into an ‘X’, like a child trying to form snow angels. Her first saw her feet and his gaze made its way up her body. It was the sight of what happened to her head that made him fight the urge to hurl. Kadaj was sure that at this time he was as pale as the corpse he was studying. She had been scalped!

Her entire head of her, no her entire scalp looked to have been cleaned peeled off. Only the skin and flesh though to the bare bone. Her face was completely in tact. A pool of blood formed from under her head.

Female Officer : I found some traces of blood on the wall to the far end.

Kadaj was determined not to lose his cool. The image of the body was etched into his subconscious he was sure for all time, but he would not let it overcome him. He barely let the words out…

Kadaj : Sorry I failed to introduce myself. Hoshi Kadaj .

He stuck his hand out to the brunette…

Female Officer : Byako Maria, Special Criminal Task Force.

Kadaj : This is my first time meeting a pig…ehem…cop…

Female Officer : I think I am starting to figure out why you like this brat.

Aramaki : Why?

Female Officer : He is as big an asshole as you are…

Kadaj didn’t bother to stay and chitchat, he was walking over to the wall the look at the blood smudge. It wasn’t only the conversation that didn’t interest him anymore; he wanted to get as far away from the body as he could. The metallic smell of blood was something he hated. Once he was out of earshot…

Female Officer : He is a tough one. He barely flinched after looking at the body. Even i couldn't stomach the first case…

Aramaki : That could be the root of all this trouble…

Female Officer : What?

Aramaki : Nothing… it seems the kid has seen something interesting.

Kadaj was looking over at the wall at the very end of the alleyway. There did seem to be a little smudge of blood at one point, then little streaks and drops trickling downwards. He looked at the floor and started to walk back towards the corpse as he bumped into the two people who were actually on the job.

Aramaki : Notice anything?

Kadaj : Some crap you guys probably know already. Seems like our bad-guy smashed her head into the wall and then dragged her to the spot he killed her. Doesn’t seem random to me though, the whole scene is a little…

Female Officer : A little what?

Kadaj : Extravagant.

Female Officer : Where did you find this kid?

Kadaj : Could you stop referring to me as kid. I also happen to be a shinobi and I doubt you are that much older than I am.

Female Officer : I am way older than you.

Aramaki : Psst! She is only seventeen.

Aramaki noticed a strange look on Kadaj’s face as he spoke. He didn’t push though. The kid was already suspicious of his intentions, he wouldn’t push him for anything now but when he got this case, Kadaj ’s name popped into his head for the strangest reason.


***

[DonEmu]

Pallor Mortis will not be screened today and instead we have an in-story filler.


Kadaj had been unnerved by the events of the day before. He had assisted Aramaki with his crime scene. Working as an assistant, he learned a little bit about patience but the scene of the corpse was giving him problems. He would close his eyes and be haunted by the ghost of the victim.

His sleep was riddled with nightmares. Naked women, their bodies defiled and cut up like nothing more than lab animals. There was a shadow of a man looking over the pictures of the victim, this morphed into the pictures of many victims. There was a wry look on his face and a menacing glint in his eyes. The grayed blonde hair was stiff. There was only disgust. The stranger turned and met Kadaj ’s gaze; their eyes were the same.

Man : You shouldn’t have come here. Seeing this…

The images of the dead women begun to swirl in his head, then there was a jolt, like a surge of lightning passing through him…He closed his eyes, trying to drown out the horror, he opened them to find himself deep within a forest. A man dressed in a black suit with a white shirt stood before him, a knife in his hand. Kadaj was petrified with fear, he wanted to run but he had no control of his body whatsoever. It was like being trapped in another person, only watching. His body felt different, the man unnervingly taller than himself. His eyes were darting in all directions, he finally took a glance at his own hands, and they were small. He was in the body of a child.

Kadaj (thoughts) : What is this? Why can’t I control myself?

The body was backing up on its own, the pursuer creeping closer to him.

Predator : The little mouse has reached a dead end, literally. The end is near kid.

Words escaped his mouth, words he did not wish to say, he felt like a prisoner in his own body, what was this?

Kadaj : Please sir, don’t kill me.

Predator : Sorry little mouse but those eyes are far too lovely. I want them…

His voice was cool, calm and indifferent. He came for those eyes and he never intended to leave without them. He hunted him through this forest. The forest of death, it seemed like it was a miracle the boy had not been killed but it was not a miracle. The hunter had orchestrated this little game…

Stranger : Why don’t we end this game right here…

The stranger from the room had returned. This time no pictures, he was dressed in fool working gear; ANBU .

It happened in a flash, the murderer came lunging at him with breakneck speed. He was beside himself with fear. He cried out…the stranger moved to intercept…then something happened and then he awoke…


***


The genin awoke in his room. He was surrounded by darkness. His mattress was drenched with sweat and tears. He felt tired, frightened and for some reason drained. Like his power had been sucked out by something…he looked around the room, it was empty. He was using is power , the room was empty there was no one. He felt secure. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Kadaj felt a head-ache coming on.

Kadaj : What the fuck was that!?

He stood up and flicked the bed side light on; the sight across the room had him perplexed. His writing desk has been ripped to shreds. He was hit with a sudden wave of nausea and dizziness. He passed out on his bed with the realization that years ago something happened to him, and this case was at the core.


***

[DonEmu]

The genin awoke in his room. He was surrounded by darkness. His mattress was drenched with sweat and tears. He felt tired, frightened and for some reason drained. Like his power had been sucked out by something…he looked around the room, it was empty. He was using is power , the room was empty there was no one. He felt secure. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Kadaj felt a head-ache coming on.

Kadaj : What the fuck was that!?

He stood up and flicked the bed side light on; the sight across the room had him perplexed. His writing desk has been ripped to shreds. He was hit with a sudden wave of nausea and dizziness. He passed out on his bed with the realization that years ago something happened to him, and this case was at the core.


***


He woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. The loud echoing sound pierced through his brain awakening a large dormant migraine. The ringing wasn’t ceasing so he crawled to the spare phone across the room that was mounted on the wall outside his bathroom. The main phone was trashed with the rest of his desk. He tugged at the phone cord, far too wasted to stand up; the receiver fell to his side.

Kadaj : Hello

Aramaki : YO! NOOB! Got some work today…

Kadaj : stop being so damn loud jack-ass.

Aramaki : Are you going to show? We are going to go over the crime scene photos.

Kadaj : No thanks, I am feeling too sick

Aramaki : But…

Kadaj : Later

Kadaj hung up the phone without listening anything further. He was dead tired. This was definitely symptoms of chakra over-usage. What the hell had he done to his room while he was sleeping and what was the meaning of that damn dream? Where the murders happening all that time when he was a kid? Was he an intended victim? He dragged him self into his bathroom. He was still woozy. A little water to his face would help out. He had already slept through the night and then passed out. He turned the tap open, lying under the cold pouring water, he wandered into dreamless sleep.

He woke up again; the water was still streaming down his body. He hadn’t taken off his pajamas, they were soaked. Now he needed food and fresh air. His head had cleared, now he wasn’t just acting on instinct. He had to figure out what happened and analyze the situation. He stood up, he was still a little dizzy but his eyes were clearing. His stomach was now growling angered by his neglect. He bobbled into the main room to get dressed and ready; he would take a walk and get some grub.

Ichiraku Ramen was just a block away. As a ward of the state, he had meal coupons. He stuffed himself until he couldn’t eat anymore, that took a reasonable amount of time. The store owners hadn’t seen such eating habits since the Hokage ‘s last visit.

Kadaj : That was awesome!

He felt energized. This was the power of good nutrition. The Hokage knew what he was doing when he frequented this place on a regular basis. Now he had thinking to do…figuring out what happened…


***

[DonEmu]

Kadaj scoured Konoha for a little patch of greenery that was empty. He had the feeling that was he was doing was going to be dangerous. He was in a spot that was accessible to anyone and thus if he passed out again would surely be found and hopefully carried to the hospital, though worse case he might just get robbed. He sat on a tree stump; a few meters in front of him were other tree stumps and little logs and polls.

Kadaj (thoughts) : What are these dreams?

He was trying to remember the dream in its entirety. The very nature of it was unnerving. It felt more like memories that were forcing themselves back to the surface of his mind. Images of the victims begun to swim around in his mind once more like he was trapped in a genjutsu. Kadaj ’s mind begun to drift away again into sleep…


***


It happened in a flash, the murderer came lunging at him with breakneck speed. He was beside himself with fear. Then he felt it course through himself. A power was being drawn out. His vision begun to blur, it begun to shift and morph until it was completely different. It was like the world was in slow motion as the killer came at him. The Stranger also moving hoping to intercept in time. The attacker looking at Kadaj ’s eyes with clear lust. The power moved from his feet up his body and gathered in his eyes. His legs begun to buckle and he begun to tremble and just when his body was about to give out the power surged out of him.

The dust on the ground begun to swirl. It was slow at first and unnoticed but then it begun to pick up speed and became more violent, more intense. The adversary runs straight into it. He was caught in the wind storm, a spinning mini-vortex of cutting wind.

Stranger : Son! Are you alright?

Kadaj : Dad…

The assailant was lying on the floor only a few meters away. The young Kadaj ’s sight begun to waver but even in the darkness he could see both men so clearly. His father stood up from his side. When did he get there? And walked to the side of the murderer, katana in hand. His strength finally gave out and he collapsed in the forest.

He awoke with a jolt. He felt drained again, almost the same feeling as that in the dream but less arduous.

Man : Hey kid! You okay?

Kadaj : What happened?

Man : Well you seemed to have been sleeping. Then some weird stuff started happening in front of you…

Kadaj : Weird stuff?

The Man points to one of the tree stumps in front of Kadaj . The wood had been whittled down, ripped up like if had been torn.

Man : It was totally weird. Like some miniature tornado thing.

Kadaj had just realized that his ability had been activated. He could see the man in a different way than others. He hadn’t done it consciously and that was when he realized what the dream was. It was the day he had awakened. It seemed like the murders had been happening for a long time and he had been at the center of it years ago. Even that man he called father was involved.

Kadaj finally took a careful look at his guest. The only word that could describe his attire was that of a monk. He wore a dark black robe with a bright orange sash. His silver hair was long and spiky and his eyes clear and shining with excitement. The man seemed to be enjoying himself. In his right hand he carried a guitar case and a sword was strapped to his left side. He was a warrior.

Kadaj : You are a shinobi.

Man : Absolutely.

The man walked up to Kadaj and placed a hand on his shoulder. The genin felt his fatigue slowly fading away.

Kadaj : What are you doing?

Man : I would like to see that little trick again but you seemed tired so I am just lending a hand so to speak.

Kadaj : Who are you?

Man : If you can pull it off again on your own, I will tell you. Including some more info about a certain night in a forest.

Kadaj (thoughts) : How does this man know?

The man lifted his hand of the genin. Kadaj was feeling good and though he wanted answers he needed to settle this now. What was happening to him could be dangerous if he didn’t face it now.

Kadaj : Deal…

Man : Well you better get started…

Kadaj : At least gimme your name?

Man : Erm…Suzaku…

Suzaku sat down on one of the stumps and took out his guitar and begun to strum some strings together. Kadaj chose to ignore the stranger and turned and faced another log.

Suzaku (thoughts) : What a callous personality. Brushing of my presence though I might be dangerous. Just like his father.


***

[DonEmu]

Kadaj (thoughts) : Okay, so how am I supposed to do this again.

Suzaku (thoughts) : I wonder how he is going to go about this.

Kadaj didn’t have any idea how he was going to come up with the technique. At least the knowledge that it was possible was in his mind. Maybe all he needed to do was try, it shouldn’t be so hard.

He closed his eyes and begun to focus. He molded his chakra and looked forward at the log. He concentrated long and hard, standing there for what seemed like a long time but nothing was happening. He finally let go…

Suzaku (thoughts) : First dud…

Just standing there molding chakra would do anything. He didn’t even cause a slight breeze. He crossed his arms and begun to think. What triggered it both times? It was the stress of the situation, the fear; his emotions. So maybe if he could artificially emulate the scenario in his mind, he could use it.

Though he really didn’t want to he let his mind wander back to that cold night alone in the forest of death. Being dashed at by that large man, his life teetering on the balance.

The sickening feeling begun to well up inside him again. The energy seemed to be drained from all corners of his body and begun piling up again. There was an ominous feeling in the air.

Kadaj (thoughts) : No…this is far too reckless…

He allowed himself to calm down. This wasn’t the way. He was thought at the academy that using a jutsu fueled by emotion was walking a dangerous road. He let himself calm down, clearing his mind of the negative thoughts. The wave of malicious power waned.

Suzaku (thoughts) : Second dud…good that you know that isn’t a good idea.

Kadaj (thoughts) : I have an idea now.

Kadaj bent down and picked up a little leaf. In the shinobi academy, around a time when he was a little too troublesome, he was given some training in concentration and focus by the Hokage himself who wondered in for a visit. The leaf symbol on the head-band was initially a means for shinobi to keep focus. The early ninja used to concentrate their chakra to their foreheads using a leaf as the focal point to help them train their concentration. That is what he needed most. His last idea was off but it gave him a little clue on what he needed to do.

He placed the leaf on his forehead and begun to concentrate and focus his chakra, the leaf stayed on his head. He cut of his molded chakra allowing the leaf to fall back onto the ground and then he begun to mold chakra again. He pulled chakra from all over his body and gathered it in his eyes all the while focusing on his target, the log in front of him.

Suzaku (thoughts) : Hmm…

He could not hold it any longer, his vision momentarily tunneled onto his target the log and then he released his energy. The dust begun to swirl around the log. A small gust of wind begun to blow around. Suzaku stopped playing his guitar and reached into his robe and pulled out a small metallic object, a direct view of what it was hindered by his hand.

The whirl begun to speed up, faster and faster, and then it begun to shift irregularly. The spin begun to get cut off. It was not sustaining. It begun to blow left and right; shutting down and restarting like a computer system with a glitch. Kadaj let go, he was tiring.

Kadaj (thoughts) : So I have to pick direction of spin.

Suzaku tucked the metal back into his robes, stood up and walked over to Kadaj and placed a hand on his head this time, tussling his hair.

Suzaku : I would go with clockwise…

Kadaj : Huh?

The man hadn’t bothered to stay; he walked back to the stump and sat back down playing his guitar absentmindedly.

Kadaj (thoughts) : To the right…


***

[DonEmu]

Kadaj took in a long deep breath. He concentrated at the task at hand. Suzaku said clockwise; so that would be spinning to his right. He molded his chakra once more, drawing out from all the parts of his body into his core and then channeling it to his eyes. Suzaku dug out the little metal again, his movements were unnoticed, and he didn’t even miss a cord.

Kadaj (thoughts) : Okay…keep calm…

It swelled at the beginning and then sped up.

Kadaj (thoughts) : Clockwise…

His gaze was intense. He molded his chakra once more. The power surged through his body swiftly. Then he focused it to his eyes. He had the image in his head; he was visualizing the clockwise movement. In his mind it was like spinning a wheel to his right. The settle dust around the log became disturbed once more as he released his energy. It gradually picked up speed, spiraling faster and faster. Soon the log was engulfed in the cyclic winds.

Suzaku was watching and he was impressed. His hands moved in a quick motion. He flicked out his right hand that was gripping the small metal object. The kunai flew through the air at the vertical funnel of turning wind. The movement was too fast for Kadaj to even have noticed. The projectile flew through the air and as it neared the weird jutsu its momentum was slowed down until it halted for a split second in mid-air and was shot outward by the pressure of the spinning wind. The genin let go of his jutsu, he was feeling winded not noticing the kunai that had just lodged in a random tree.

Suzaku (thoughts) : One down…

Kadaj looked at the log. It had not been ripped or shredded or looked like it had gone under any real strain. The wind merely blew around it violently.

Kadaj : That was useless…

Suzaku : I would not agree with you on that one. It would be quite useful if it were put around you…

Kadaj : Huh?

The man just gestures to the tree, pointing at a kunai…

Suzaku : I tossed that at your little spinning thingy jutsu…Did a decent job of dealing with it…

Suzaku (thoughts) : If he can get the second one on his own, then I will just give him a little help…

Kadaj (thoughts) : How do I get it to cut more?

The genin was thinking long and hard on the matter. Walking back and forth, crouching and sitting down, getting back up, he was restless. Memories of his past with his father begun to linger to the surface of his mind again, these memories though weren’t of trauma…


***


Dojin : Kid, come here would ya…

A young Kadaj walked over to his shinobi father. His father was sitting across the room on his usual seat across from the television. His father had come home with a strange expression on his face. It had been days after the incident. The child had been questioned but he had no memories of what happened. Dojin answered most of their queries. The boy walked over to his father…

Dojin : Hold on to this paper…

Kadaj : Sure…

Dojin : I taught you all about molding chakra right. Do you mind molding your chakra into that little chit…?

Kadaj : Of course I don’t mind…

Kadaj wasn’t very good at it. He barely practiced but all he was asked to do was mold his chakra through this object, so he did was he was told. The paper at first showed no signs of change. Then it began to wiggle a bit. Suddenly it got torn into pieces.

Dojin : So your wind affinity is also included…

Kadaj : Included in what?

But his father was not talking to him but to himself. He seemed to be thinking about something and the little revelation about the chakra type only seemed to give him more to think about. His father was still mumbling to himself…

Dojin (muttering) : So, his is different…



***


Kadaj ’s mind had returned to the present. He had no idea why all these lost memories were returning to him but they all seemed to be pushing him in the same direction. He had the last piece he needed…or so he thought…

He closed his eyes and calmed his breath. He cleared his mind of all things he felt unnecessary. He molded his chakra, drawing out from all parts of his body and into his core. Then he focused on his core, pulling out the power of his chakra. His chakra was naturally wind; he needed to draw out this ability. He called with all his will and dug deep down within himself. Then he focused into his eyes and unleashed once more onto the log…

Suzaku : Finally…

The cyclone engulfed the log, slowly it begun to get ripped as the jutsu tore away at the skin. Little slices and wood shreds were being blown about…

Suzaku had seen what he had come to see. The kid had managed it. He didn’t even bother to stay, he wasn’t really in the mood to talk much but as he ‘flickered ’ away he left a little scroll lying on the tree stump. A little message left behind for the genin.


First Technique: Snake, Rat, Cat…

Second Technique (More Wind Chakra Required): Snake, Rat, Cat, Dog…

Note: Jutsu are far less intensive with seals, since you lack the skill to come up with these on your own, a little gift from an old friend of your father. I’ll be seeing you soon enough.


Kadaj (thoughts) : Seals…

Kadaj decided to try them out. The first set, he molded his chakra, drawing out of around his body into his core. This time he didn’t dig too deep and focused and then performed the seals…

Snake Rat Cat

The wind encircled him, swallowing him within. He was at the heart of the spiral but he felt no pain, just the cool breeze spinning around himself. He let go shortly afterwards, the vortex dying down.

Then he began to mold his chakra again, this time a greater quantity. He focused hard on his target, this time another log to his right, about ten meters away. The energy coursed through his body, to his very core. He mustered up as much will and drive as possible and pulled out the wind of his chakra, then he begun to perform the seals…

Snake Rat Cat Dog

The dust on the earth around the log tremble and then begun to spin. A small vortex of wind rose from the ground upwards until the log was entrenched. The genin didn’t hold on for long but the few seconds was long enough. The outer layer of word had been cut down.

Kadaj (thoughts) : That’s that…


***

[DonEmu]

OoC: Well this is the classification of the jutsu, for whoever is approving it. Note i have already got the techniques approved by Vis/Nick...


Bloodline Jutsu:

Due to a slight change in the evolution of his eye, most likely due to the influence of his mothers genetics and his fathers unstable genetic constructions, Kadaj has a different variant of his father’s bloodline, mostly evident in the form of jutsu possible with his doujutsu

By causing

Genin:

Cyclic Surge:

Name: Shuukisei Hadou (Cyclic Surge)
Type: C - Rank, Ninjutsu, Defensive
Element: Wind, Bloodline
A different technique but with the same underlying principle as its namesake used by his father, Kadaj by heating and cooling the air around him using his eyes creates a whirlwind that engulfs him acting as a blowing shield against light projectiles. The move is singular and short sustaining. It can also be used over a distance to surround an object other than self. The longer it is held, the more chakra used up.

Shifting Gale:

Name: Tenshin Hayate (Shifting Gale/Hurricane)
Type: C - Rank, Ninjutsu, Offensive
Element, Type: Wind, Bloodline
Using a similar principle to the first jutsu. This causes a small concentrated wind storm at a specific area that is stationary, like a tiny mini-tornado that slowly grows at a spot. Like a localized cutting whirlwind. Blows away oncoming projectiles and slices objects contained in the vortex. Can be directed on any path in range of vision...

Note: Range of vision is 270 degrees

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

For a bulk of training of this quality I'll give you the max I can 3XP, some of this has the workings of an unnofficial mission :p.

The dialogue flows well and the story is intriguing and original, there were very few mistakes as well. Keep up the good work Don.

I'm sorry this wasn't done last night, but an emergency came up and I was indisposable.

[DonEmu]

Now back to our regular programming…


The night air was cold and solemn. The winds blowing across Konoha this night were harsh and unrelenting. It felt like a hurricane was coming through. The trees were being blown about; the rooftops shook under the force of the gale. The rain came down hard on the ninja village. The sound of nature’s power was drowning out the sounds of the night. It had been pouring down like this for the whole night, businesses were forced to close down early, and the usual busy streets were empty. Most slept in the comfort of their homes.

Special Criminal Task Force Officer Byako Maria was such a person. She was deep into sleep, her chest heaving slowly as she drew in and exhaled. The condensed water vapor escaping from her mouth as she breathed out formed temporary clouds in front of her face. Her brown her was sprawled across her pillow case. She spread out her body on her bed as if it were a deliberate attempt to cover every square inch she could. Her bedroom was large and almost empty with maroon wall to wall carpeting. Her bed was at the center of the room to the wall. Above it were various awards for service and valor in her few years as a police officer. Directly across from the bed was the room’s solitary window. To the left was the door to the living room area, to the right was her wardrobes; long, wide and deep mahogany structures with various indents and carvings of horses and knights. She slumbered without a care in the world.

He was standing across the street from her apartment in the pouring rain. A large black umbrella blocked any clear sight of him from her window. A maniacal smile was etched across his face as he surveyed his drenched surroundings. He was dressed in a full suit. His black trousers reaching down to his rubber soled sneakers. A coat was worn on top of a white long sleeved shirt with a skinny black tie. He wore white gloves on both hands. He began to make his way towards the building. He was gripping the parasol with his left hand and dug his right into his pocket to pull out a tiny shiny metallic object. It was a cylindrical object, about two inches long with two little protruding metal hooks at one end. There were what two sliders on the main body of the object to adjust the two hooks. He slid the two prongs into the door knob and fiddled around, there was a click and the front door slid open.

Man (thoughts) : Time to catch myself a new little mouse…

The best word to describe the housing complex was ‘luxury ’. There was no way that Maria was affording this place on an officer’s salary alone.

Man (thoughts) : Spoon fed brat trying to prove her worth by becoming a cop. So cute…

The floors of the ground level were made of pure marble. The walls were painted white with various paintings and statuettes lining the surface. Large chandeliers draped down from the ceiling. There was no porter present at the front desk, this was no surprise, one would expect them to sleep so late in the night; it was a little past midnight. There was no visible security.

The assailant had already scoped out the target many times before. Even earlier in the week when she , the Nara and the purple haired Brat were at the scene of his latest hunt. He had been transfixed by her. He needed to add ‘it ’ to his collection. The thought of hunting her down, slowing wearing her down physically and mentally and when she was at the brink of collapse, the feeling of taking it from her defenseless body. It sent a surge of pleasure through him. He shuddered with delight.

He made his way up the stairwell. He knew exactly which room he was going to. It was on the topmost floor. The hallways were completely empty. He was thankful to the weather. Most were forced to sleep early…

He made quick work of her door…

Her living room in contrast to her bedroom was populated by a plethora of objects. Various vases and china were spread across the room. The place was littered with antiquities. She was without a doubt wealthy. He walked through the large room. In the center was one large white sofa with what looked like golden silk hemming. There seemed to be no order in the room’s arrangement. Her many gifts and prizes were scattered about. She seemed to like to collect the useless. He could see the door leading to her bedroom and the door perpendicular leading to her bathroom. He had memorized the floor plans. Behind the sofa something caught his eye…

He walked up to the large, black instrument and sat at the seat. It was a grand piano. It was exquisite. It seemed to have been constructed from beech hardwood which had been laminated into the required shape. He looked into it; the strings looked to be made of high quality hard steel. This was of the utmost quality. He decided to play a little medley to awaken his victim.

Ludwig van Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Moonlight.ogg)

http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/images/first_pages/BIG/Beethoven/MoonlightFirst_BIG.gif
As he played the rain seemed to be lulled to sleep. The sound echoed into the night sky and the clouds slowly parted. She woke up abruptly to the sounds of piano cords. She knew the song. She had played it herself, it was Beethoven. There should have been no one in her apartment. The music continued and she was getting more unnerved. She arose from her bed and pulled out a ’kodachi’ . There was a glint on the short blade even in the darkness of her room. The sounds were coming from her living area; she walked slowly to the door and pulled it open.

The sound stopped abruptly. She peeked into the darkroom. It seemed empty; well there was nothing new in there. There was a light switch next to her door; she flicked it, no response from the lighting. She took three steps into the room. Her back to her bedroom door.

Maria : Whoever you are, show yourself.

Man : Hehe, little mouse is scared…

The voice came from behind her, she attempted to turn but she was far too slow. A hand reached around her neck and clasped around her mouth. The stranger had her mouth covered with a handkerchief. She knew that smell from experience, chloroform. Her vision blurred and she collapsed in his arms.


***


Kadaj (whisper) : Maria …

Kadaj jolted straight out of his bed. He was sitting upright now. He was drenched with sweat. The images of his dream still floated in his mind. Barely a second after his phone rang. He didn’t even have enough time to gather his thoughts. He reached out for it…

Kadaj : Hello?

Aramaki : Kid…we got a problem…

He recognized the voice instantly and thus he also knew what was going on…

Kadaj : The cop right…

Aramaki : How did you know?

Kadaj : I will be at your place in half an hour.

It was still night…the rain had relented finally…

***

[DonEmu]

Pat…pat…pat…pat…

He raced at full speed towards the meeting area. His footsteps were in sync with the sound of his heart beating; rhythmic and fast. His trainers splashed within puddles of water as he darted through the streets. The rain had subsided but the skies that had cleared up earlier became covered by the dark clouds once more. The cold violent winds begun to blow across Konoha again. Kadaj ’s head was throbbing violently. His almost tripped and fell as his leg plummeted into a pothole. His entire body was hit with a sudden jolt of nausea but he kept on running.

The weird feelings had happened ever since he had woken up. Even before receiving the phone call. The strange dream was replaying in his head, but he knew that it wasn’t just a dream. Just around the next corner…

They stood there waiting for him. Two men, their bodies shrouded by the shadows around them. Aramaki stood looking towards the rushing genin. He was dressed in full working gear. Black trousers with kunai strapped to his right leg with a matching black long sleeved shirt. A chuunin vest on top of that with all the pockets filled with varying equipment; smoke bombs, kunai, shuriken .etc.

The other figure was someone Kadaj didn’t know. He was dressed top to down in a skin hugging black suit. The definition of his well built muscles could be seen protruding from the surface of the material. His arms were crossed; they were shielded with metallic looking arm-guards. Matching shin-guards protected his legs. His porcelain facemask which was that of a turtle masked his face. Strapped to his back was an extremely large box like object, half as wide as his body and almost as tall as he was. It was wrapped in bandages which wrapped over his shoulders for him to carry. Kadaj had reached the two shinobi, he was out of breath.

Kadaj : Who’s this?

Aramaki : He’s the one who called me…

Kadaj : Called you…

ANBU : I am working on the case of the serial killer and I was going through some old case files and came across something. I went over to see Officer Maria but it seems I was too late.

Kadaj : She was taken tonight wasn’t she..?

ANBU : Precisely…

Aramaki : Kadaj how did you know?

Kadaj : It was in my dream.

ANBU : If what I found is right, we don’t have much time. She is definitely the next victim and it’s happening tonight.

Aramaki seemed unnerved by something and very nervous. He dug into his side pockets and came out with a cigarette and light. He lit it up and drew in one deep breath. Kadaj was also uneasy, both mentally and physically. He was feeling physically worn out and sick. Another surging pain bolted through his cranium. He placed his right hand on his temple as he was hit by some dizziness. The genin’s knees buckled.

ANBU : You okay kid?

Kadaj : Do I know you from somewhere?

ANBU : Maybe you do and maybe you don’t…You may call me Genbu to make things easier.

Kadaj (thoughts) : Why is that ringing a bell…

Aramaki : What do we do now? How do we find her?

Kadaj : The forest of death…

The awkwardness he was feeling earlier had passed but Kadaj ’s body still felt cold. Genbu eyed him, his arms were still crossed. His worried face was hidden behind the traditional mask. He was bothered by the entire situation, but he knew for some days now that things would turn up like this eventually. It had been coming, history was repeating itself it seemed and everything revolved around this kid. Those who forgot about the mistakes of the past were doomed to repeat it, those words spoken to him by that man so very long ego seemed to gravitate to the surface of his mind.

Aramaki : The forest?

Genbu : It’s like that huh. Then I know where she is being taken, we will go together…

Aramaki : We can’t possibly carry a genin along.

Genbu : We have to.

Aramaki : What about back-up?

Genbu : I can’t deploy a unit based solely on a hunch and you aren’t a full fledged officer so you can’t call on the police force either. We have to investigate ourselves first.

Genbu (thoughts) : And plus I have to let things flow like they should. The pendulum has already begun to swing…


***


She knew exactly where she was when she came to. She like most of those above chuunin rank in Konoha recognized the surroundings instantly. This place after all was the place of trials that most had to endure to earn their rank; the aptly named forest of death. She was still in her night gown, the weather was extremely chilly. The wind threatened to blow her away. She had no weapons and that was a dangerous thing were she was. She was struck by the urge to run…


***


Genbu : He is going to play ‘cat and mouse’ with her until he finally gets her. The best bet is to meet them at the end.

Aramaki : The end of what?

Kadaj : The end of his little game…the place where it all begun for me.

They were dashing through the forest. The ANBU member Genbu had easily gotten them into the forest. He was also leading the chase. Both he and Aramaki easily dispatched any of the animals and aggressive fauna that came through the paths with kodachi in hand. He did it with ease considering the size-able weight on his back.

Kadaj (thoughts) : What an eccentric fellow. He hides his kodachi within the front of his armor and pulls it out from underneath.

The made it to the clearing just as she broke out of the forest into the clearing. The three rescuers and the intended victim faced of at each other. A shadow stepped out of the forest behind her…

He kicked hard at her back, the impact sent her flying several meters away. The rain had begun to pour down again. It begun as a slow drizzle but within seconds it had exploded into full monsoon…

Upon gazing upon the assailant , Kadaj became overcome with seizures.


***

[DonEmu]

Voices came rushing to the young genin ’s head; some where from his past and some from the present. He couldn’t think. His breathing was erratic. His blood felt like it was boiling as though there was a furnace in his heart burning him from the insides out yet the outer layer of his skin felt ice cold, like was trapped in a blizzard. The convulsions became more violent with each passing moment. If not for his lack of focus and grasp of his situation he would fear his spine snapping to the aggressive shaking. He could not control any aspect of his body…he could not control any aspect of his mind…

Maria was across the clearing a few meters off. She was clearly worse for wear. She had to run through the desolate jungle not only thinking about evading her pursuer but surviving the natural dangers of her surroundings. She wasn’t looking her usual elegant self. Her skin was white and pasty. A rasping cough escaped her parched lips. She most like was coming down with pneumonia…

The rain begun to pick up…

The murderer seemed to be locked in the moment. He merely looked back and forth from his pray and the new arrivals on the scene. He was closer to the inspector than the three new additions to the party. One of them had even keeled over and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. He was confident he could make the distance and grab the girl easily, even if he had ANBU after him. The maniacal smile did not waver…


***


Kotegiri: What are you waiting for? Kill now?

Young Kadaj : I don’t want to kill…why should I kill?

Kotegiri: For what purpose does a shinobi exist? For what purpose was I made?


He was trapped in a world he felt he knew but could not remember. The darkness threatened to swallow him whole. He could see himself, his young self, but nothing else. White shirt, white short, even his hair was white in this world and everything else was black…no not black…empty; like an abyss with no end. He stared into the darkness…walked into the darkness…the whispers came at him from all directions…


Kotegiri: Still pretending you are not a killer?

Young Kadaj : I have no reason to kill…

Kotegiri: That didn’t stop you that time so why should it stop you now?


***


The down pour was making it hard to see. The large droplets fell down from the sky with unrelenting passion. The mere force of the storm was almost weighing them all down. Still no one had made a move; it was a stand-off.

Aramaki : What the fuck is going on?

Genbu : Wipe that confused look off your face. We got ourselves in some real shit…

Aramaki : That little brat has stopped shaking but he seems to be out cold.

The weather was getting colder and colder. The harsh wind suddenly blew across and threatened to carry them all away. Maria ’s frail body was dragged against the carpet like grass floor a few feet. Kadaj ’s limp body was undisturbed. The monster still had a smile on his face. The rain had poured down on his knife; he was gripping with his right hand. The water droplets refracted the very little light that could be found in the deep darkness that was the night.

Genbu : This cold…

Aramaki : What?

Aramaki felt a strange sensation coming from the ANBU. Was it feared he was sensing? It couldn’t be…the ninja did not seem to fear their target, the serial killer but suddenly…

Genbu : Whatever happens…do not move an inch…

Aramaki : What?!

Genbu : If we want to live through this night. We don’t move not even an inch.

The man spoke for the first time, his words directed towards the two shinobi of Konoha . He had heard their words, even with it being almost drowned by the sound of the shower.

Stalker : Are you that fearful of me?

The insolence oozed from his voice…

He meant to tease them before he moved, before he took the last little piece to his beautiful puzzle. He lunged at the trembling body of his victim, Byako Maria .

It wrapped around his leg like a hungry vine. Snatching him from below and holding him to the ground. The killer was in his stride, dashing forwards at full speed. He didn’t see anything come at him, he didn’t feel anything reach him, but it did…

Genbu (whisper) : Do not move…

He smashed face first into the ground…

Stalker : What the fuck!

The sound of laughter filled the air. It was loud and carefree like a child that had his wildest dreams granted to him. On the floor, between the two Konoha ninja…

Kadaj : Hahahahahaha…This is going to be just like last time…

Kadaj had risen up to his knees. He was facing the downed adversary…or at least his face was in that general direction, his eyes were closed. Blood escaped from under his closed eyelids and trickled down his cheek. He opened his eyes and peered at his foe. A smile that conveyed nothing but pure malice spread across his face.

Kadaj : We meet again…but this time I will make sure I finish the job.

Both cheeks had a line of blood…

His eyes ( http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/DonEmu/eye2-1.jpg) were different…his eyes ( http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/DonEmu/Eye-1.png) had changed. Before nothing but a faint glow accompanied the use of his birthright but now his pupil took new form. At its core was the sign that was come to be known as the dichotomy of yin/yang. Various rings encircled this core, each with a circle of a different color representing an element. Below this on a singular lower ring was the most dominant symbol “ Kaze ”.

The stalker attempted to get back on his feet. Kadaj was already on his feet…without hesitation he performed seals…

Snake Rat Cat Dog

The wind erupted from beneath the fallen opponent. It was as though it fed on the storm around it. The vortex grew and swallowed the man. His yells pierced through the hearts of the two other shinobi who watched as his flesh was being cut by the spinning winds. Kadaj walked over as the wind subsided, the rain also subsided…this was a night of destiny. Kotegiri was in hand…He stood over the man…

Kadaj : Is this what you wanted?

Stalker : What are you talking about you fucker?

Kadaj : I wasn’t talking to you…

Hit lifted the sword straight up, the hilt was pointed upwards. Without hesitation he brought the blade down and pierced straight through the man ’s throat.

Kadaj let go of the blade and fell to his knees next to the lifeless body. His mind was lost again to the darkness…

Aramaki (thoughts) : That boy…What is he?


***

[DonEmu]

Epilogue: Death by Degrees


Konoha . For most it had been a stormy night before, a great torrent had blown through but it was gone now and had left clear blue skies. For most it was just an uneventful night in…for most…

Three shinobi stood in the shadows of an alleyway behind one of the various restaurants. They hid both from sight and from eaves droppers.

Aramaki : The ANBU took the inspector home, I left Kadaj in his bed.

Taki : That must have been quite the ordeal, after the story you just told, you must have been scared shitless of being alone with that monster.

Aramaki : He was out cold after killing the murderer…Ha…that sounds fucked up, “killing the murderer”…

Rangiku : So our suspicions about him were true.

Aramaki : His eyes were also similar to ’that man’ .

Taki : So are we going to take him out?

Rangiku : Always jumping the gun. Of course we aren’t, we need to find out how he ties in with us and our little problem.

Taki : That ANBU fella was also suspicious. It was like he knew what was going to happen…

Aramaki : He said to keep what happened quiet. Right now both Kadaj and the inspector are home. He said he would handle them.

Rangiku : That sword?

Aramaki : We couldn’t pull it out of the corpse, its still in the forest.

Taki : I am meeting Kadaj next, I want to see this beast with my own eyes.

Someone had woken up earlier than expected…

***


The mound of dirt was growing steadily as the genin dug. The grounds he was digging up was part of what used to be his old home until it returned back to the ownership of the state and was changed to just another generic training ground. Right now he was destroying public property but he didn’t care. The second voice beckoned him here, the only light that was in the darkness…

The ANBU watched interested…

Genbu : What are you looking for?

Kadaj : Why ask? You seem to know everything… Suzaku …

Genbu / Suzaku : How long have you known?

Kadaj : I always knew, I just convinced myself that I was being paranoid…no more…

The genin kept digging. The hole was getting deeper but he knew what he was looking for was right beneath him. The ANBU also knew what could be buried here. He purposefully left kotegiri behind; he could have forced that blade out if he wanted.

There was a clank as the shovel made contact with metal…Kadaj dropped to his knees and begun to clear the dirt with his hands, the white sheath peeked from underneath the earth.

Kadaj : Murasame Tenro

Genbu / Suzaku (thoughts): It seems things are going my way not yours…Dojin…your son is walking the other path just like that woman said…

***


Deep in the forest of death, stabbed into the earth, a sword meant for only two men to wield lay alone. The body it has pierced would rot in time but it would remain. The blade as though cursed by the lives it had taken lay there alone…so with all its bloodlust it called out…and the creatures of the forest answered…


***

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

Hey it's great as usual Don,

For now 4 XP, I can edit in more details later if you want more complex critisism (to be honest I read it quickly and wasn't looking for fine details). It's nice to see Beethoven's popularity has spread even into fictional worlds.