Private Honing the Craft

Standing at the front of the fabled three story pagoda, he stood there, his arms crossed as he stared up at the all too familial building. As he gazed up, he found himself flooded with memories of the past when he was a small child. It wasn't even that long ago, he mused to himself, that he was running through the halls, casually "flirting" with he girls and showing off his skills. Now that he thought about it however, he had only been there for little over a year before he graduated. Unlike everyone else, he had started training the moment he could walk and talk, so the academy was basically pointless. He had been a prodigy child, much like his older sister, but now in his older age, he held some distain for such a tittle, not liking the idea of being "special". He though that, but he was he heir of a clan, held the eyes of a murderer, and his own daughter was a even greater prodigy then himself and maybe even his own elder sister. He lamented, sighing at the thought. It was than, his sharingan picked on a lone presence. Tilting his ever over his shoulder, he saw a boy with brown hair, fashioned in a weird setup, a half up ponytail? Well, he wasn't one to judge. It wasn't as If he had a real hair cut in years. His hair mattered little when he saw his eyes, both different colors. That made him raise a eyebrow. That was either a extremely rare condition in a clan, or some dojutsu. Whatever the case, he cold easily pick up, that he was only a mere Genin, and one who drove around with pure, blissful eyes. He remembered that time, before the civil war, before he had to take his kill for the last time. In a matter of speaking, the longer he studied the boy, he shared some comradery with him, which in a sense scared. He didn't want another innocent soul to turn into him or so many others who have fallen victims to the horrors of the world. He closed his eyes for a moment. He felt like maybe saying something, but If he knew Genin, and If he was anything like him when he was younger, there was no talking them out of the ninja world. A few moments later, his acute senses picked up on a tiny creature on the body's body. Initially, his body went on alert as due to from his past experiences, thinking it was some parasite.. He was ready to move, but than it came to him, It was either a pet....or a summoning? He couldn't, but If it was the later, that was unusual, especially for a Genin of his age and skill level. Perhaps there was potential beyond those naive eyes, even If he was still against it. Ultimately, he choose not to move closer, returning his attention to the academy itself. His mind began wondering If he should bring his own daughter here. He held some parental isntincts telling him otherwise, especially since she was a Youkai. She could handle herself however, but he had no idea about boys. He rolled his eyes. He was far too young to be a father, let alone be thinking about his daughter getting all oogly over boys...​

Caught in his own realm of thinking, he didn't even notice the boy he saw prior, approach. Hearing his voice, it took a few moments for it to register the words before he looked down, revealing the young Genin with a innocent smile. It was a smile that reminded him instantly Azumai. He supposed that was the power of innocence, being able to see the world in such a positive outlook and be able to smile, not knowing of the darker truth's of the world. At the mention of entering, he looked at the young with a curios look, his eyebrow raising momentarily before falling. He attempted a faint smile as he spoke up.


??????
"Hmm?....Oh no....I was just reminiscing of the short time I had spent here....amongst other things. That said, it's certainly felt like it's been a eternity since I've been here..."

With that, he turned his attention back towards the three story pagoda, his hands now resting within the pockets of his Hakama. With his eyes closed, he smirked momentarily. Wasn't that the truth? It was only a few years ago he was here, and now he had a daughter, now ready of age for someone who could enter the academy. While he never saw himself as nostalgic, he had sure been doing that lately since his return to the village and his clan. When he heard him introduce himself, his head shifted over his shoulder, slightly tilting to show one of his crimson eyes, especially after he had asked his name. It had been awhile since anyone had asked for his name. Most who needed to know, already knew, but he was only a Genin, so that was no surprise.


Tamashi Seto
"I do...as any warrior would have.....I'm a kin of the Tamashi Clan that goes by the name, Seto."

He paused for a moment after introducing himself, his eyes initially looking down at the snow white mantle that rested on his shoulders. Perhaps he would want to hear of that tale? But than his mind did a one eighty, his undeveloped parental instincts jumping into high gear. What was he thinking? He shouldn't encourage youths to do anything insane. Frankly, after becoming a parent, he even wondered why the village even had child soldiers to begin with. He understood his own clan's policy on the matter, but a clan was a different than a village, especially if you took his position into account. Wiping those thoughts away, a new one entered, one that was fitting for someone like him, as he remembered when his eldest sister and his Kishi asked him the very same question. He remembered it being naive, but still valid. Perhaps If this Genin had a similar view point, than perhaps his mind could allow it. Shifting his head completely in his direction, his crimson eyes pierced down at the boy before he spoke.


Tamashi Seto
"Tell me Kei, why have you chosen the path of a Shinobi? What drives you forward? Why do you want to fight? Is it to impress your parents? A girl? Or perhaps something more?"

A serious series of questions no doubt, but important ones no doubt. At this point in his life, he had little room for humor, and when he did, the women of this village would be offended so easily. His experiences had changed him from when he was a Genin like him. He didn't mean to come off as super serious, but that was just how he was now unfortunately...​

At Kei's words, he gave a slight nod with his head but said no more, preferring the peaceful tone of silence. It seemed he had taken something of value regardless, leading to his eyes picking up on his posture, showing clear signs he was in deep thinking, If only for a moment. At the mention of his name being important however, citing he was really wrong. He smirked slightly, his left eyebrow raising slightly. A faint chuckle escaped him before he spoke.


Tamashi Seto
"Well, I'm not the crimson goddess that is our Raikage, but I can handle myself~"

His smirked continued on for a few more seconds, even chuckling a bit more, before his demeanor changed to something a bit more serious once the mention of the Importance behind names were brought up. There was truth in those words, whether he truly understood it or not. He was young himself, but it something he had learned early in his life, remembering the historical documents of his clan and the tales of certain individuals popping up like their founder "Mausima", who was considered a samurai worth a thousand shinobi in ancient times.


Tamashi Seto
"All names carry a past, It's what defies us, for good or bad, and I'm certainly no exception. Now, whether or not that name ever becomes significant or not, depends on the individual."

His own words made him reflect on what had occurred in his life, from being born as the heir of an ancient, samurai, shinobi hybrid clan, to killing his first man when he was half the age of this child, to the events that led upto him battling a Daiyoukai at the throat of the world that lead to the awakening of his eyes, It all made him who he was today, and that would forever be cemented to his name. A elven year old battling a greater Youkai at the top of a mountain? And on top of unlocking the power of his bloodline? Was something no one could forget, especially as long as he carried his mantle around, his trophy of sorts. Of course, he was still very much young, much more would come that would attach to his name. He hoped It wouldn't be events of sorrow, but carrying the eyes of hatred, he doubted that.

His attention returned to the Genin when he spoke up, now with the demeanor that reminded him of himself when he was similar to this child. It was clear he had taken a moment to gather his thoughts before responding with that pause of his. Even though he was a Genin, he cold have respect for one who thoroughly thought their response before blanketly responding like many his age often did, himself included, at least to some extent. He thought that to himself, but his eyes could pick up on the fidgeting of his fingers, and it made him doubt his words, even If they were truthful. This caused him to keep his attention on the boy as he returned the favor, deciding to ask a question he probably wasn't prepared for, as almost everyone his age wasn't.


Tamashi Seto
"As one individual who once thought similarly, I can sense the truth in your words....It is....a noble intention no doubt, but the life of a shinobi is a difficult one, one you will not understand....at least for now....It also means taking drastic actions you never once comprehended, like taking the lives of others. Can you do it? Take the life of another? Watch as the light fades from their eyes?"

A heavy question no doubt, so much so, he didn't speak again for several moments afterwards. He didn't expect him to respond for several moments himself, no doubt pondering IF he could truly do it. Saying and doing it were two very different things. Luckily for him, he had the opportunity to make that choice unlike himself, who was forced into a life or death situation. How he even survived the ordeal, he didn't know. It still lingered in his mind constantly, amongst other things he thought about. When he did eventually speak, It was a response he wasn't expecting, and yet, It was at the same time. Wanting to help people, even when they didn't want or need it. His words reminded him of his love, who held a similar perspective on life, who often used his wit and charm to help those in need, well, when she could use that black katana of hers. He chuckled internally at Shizue's warrior nature colliding with her more feminine side. When he heard Kei asked him why he fought, he paused for several seconds. Using that time to think, he closed his eyes while looking up at the sky, his arms crossing one another under the fabric of his kimono.


Tamashi Seto
"It is....a complicated matter....for the reasons I fight are for many......ancient obligations, duty, mastery of the arts, parenthood....and to live up to the examples sets before me as a honorable warrior."

After a few seconds of silence, he than lowered his head, looking straight at Kei with a gaze that could kill, as It was trying to pierce his heart & body.


Tamashi Seto
"Remember these words well Kei.....For a warrior without honor...or a purpose, is no warrior at all....You may not understand them now, but in time, you will, especially If you possess the Will of Lightning..."

He fell silent once more afterwards, turning to face the academy, his own words ringing in his mind, words that he that he desperately clung to, as many others did, in his clan or not. He was curious to see If this Genin could grasp what he was saying, or If he thought he was overly dramatic. Perhaps he was being a little, but the statement stood, regardless of the presentation...​

As evident by the silence shown, he figured he had struck a nerve within the young Genin, making him question himself, forcing himself to ponder If he could really do it, take another life. It took a little awhile, as he expected, before he noticed the raising of his gaze towards him. His voice was quiet when he finally chose to speak, making the claim he didn't know, that no one could be prepared. It was the obvious answer, but he wasn't wrong unless you were born to be a monster. The next segment however, caught him by surprise, If only a little bit, triggering him to eye him. He didn't think he say something as naive as he did, but he couldn't blame him he supposed. This young Genin was little different than himself at his age.


Tamashi Seto
"Truth be told, It wasn't a question you could have answered, not in your current state. That however, doesn't mean you were wrong either...No one...is born to be a killer..."
He raised his right hand from it's hiding spot underneath his kimono's sleeves. He rubbed his chin momentarily, turning silent himself before he continued.
"I was once like you, more than you know, but than....the civil war occurred....and it forced my hand, like many others....To protect someone I held dear, I instinctively risked my life to save them. In the end...I did....but it forever changed me....putting me down the path of a killer.....It's important to remember.....that you still have a choice....for the time being..."

Rather blunt he was, but he had no reason to lie. He could tell Kei held good intentions with probably a similar conviction he had himself when he was younger, but becoming a willing killer was something no one should make easily, even If he probably didn't see it that way. At least If he had the choice. That said, he didn't regret his destiny, being destined to become a warrior in his clan. He could only wish his fate would be a honorous one in battle. In that regard, the warriors of his clan and the normal shinobi weren't so different.

He was snapped from his trance of inner thinking when he found Kei looking up at him without a flinch in the world, after he had told him on the important of one's personal honor. Honor was always a wish washy topic, and to the many, It was convoluted, outdated, flawed topic. Perhaps they were right, but the core of it would never change, to always push a individual to be always be just and noble in their intention, amongst other things. He didn't want to admit that however, even to himself, since many, especially those within his own clan, could take it too far, but when Kai made a smirk, boldly claiming he never lose his, Seto couldn't help but grin in return.


Tamashi Seto
"Good. It's better to die with your honor intact, knowing you gave your life for what you believe in. To do the opposite is...."
He paused, stopping himself. Memories of his failures flooded his mind like a great flood. He knew it all too well, and the attempts he made on his own life to reclaim what little honor he could recover. It was a time he wanted to forget, but that was impossible, for its what defied him now. Through that defeat, that trauma that lingers within him still, he realized that committing Seppuku, that taking his own life, was the easy path, Living with the shame, the dishonor that he brought upon himself, was the difficult path, but the right one in his books. He supposed with that line of thinking, he was nothing more than hypocritic, considering what he just said, but life was a tad more complicated than he liked, especially in this regard. After a few moments of silence, he turned to Kei, this time with a serious demeanor, albeit one with a faint smile.


Tamashi Seto
"I have a proposition for you.....If your brave enough that is....along with a convinction to back it up~ "

It was certainly something he had expected to say, it happening out of the moment, but this was may be what he needed to push him to return to his "old" life he had in the village prior. It wouldn't happen over night, but It was the best decision he could make. Now it was only up to the Genin, to see If he willing to do what was necessary to become he claimed he wanted to be....​

Ending Theme



Tamashi Seto
"I'll train you into a warrior, one who's able to protect what they hold most, along with a unwavering conviction to stand against an army....for a true warrior endures...no matter the odds."
His hands than fell to hips and he smirked, his voice turning to a mixture of serious and playfulness.
"But that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. Your age, your rank, they mean nothing....for younger have endured far worse than even I have...."
His expression turned more serious, his voice deepening.
"I'm going to break you, challenge you, test you in ways you never thought possible."
"Your going to experience pain like you never felt before....but through that pain, that trauma, whether you know it or not, will reshape you into a warrior you want to be."
"The only question will be, will you hold on to the same reasons as before, or will they change when you decide to take action?"
"Only time will tell...."
With that, he shifted his body back towards the bustling city, his shoulders relaxing, even his stance faltering slightly as his back arched forward slightly. Returning his hands under the wide sleeves of his kimono, he looked at Kei with a grin. He nodded for the young Genin to follow, his head aiming towards the rest of the village.
"Now come "Apprentice"...lets go get something to eat. All this talk of honor and reasons for fighting has made me hungry~​

[EXIT THREAD]

​