The gap between the moon, high up in the sky, and the very edge of the horizon, far away in the distance, was growing smaller, and smaller; leaving streaks of brilliant orange red sky in its wake, the retreating nighttime was slowly giving way to the desert morning — the heat of day would be upon the land, soon.
Kazukura surveyed the land before him from his perch atop a small rock outcropping that jutted barely an extra few feet out of the ground — it was practically a mountain in a sea of sand. His crimson red eyes were hard and meticulous, passing over each new stretch of land before them with the same intensity and sense of purpose as he had done the entire morning, looking ceaselessly for the handful of herbs, plants, and weeds, which made up the short list of items he was responsible for resupplying. Drawing a piece of beige cloth hanging around his neck, meant to cover his head when the sun inevitably began to bake the land, over his mouth and nose to keep wandering dust out of his lungs, Kazu began to mentally review the list of needed items. Prickly Apple extract. Rose Cactus spines. Knocksroot. If I can find them, maybe even some Pink Thimble-Berries for cooking? Definitely as many Wax Fruit leaves as possible. What else…?
His muscles relaxed a bit as he settled in for a little consideration. When his mind started going, Kazu could be sure he’d get lost in his thoughts somewhere along the way. Do I have enough time before the sun rises? Did I bring enough pouches for gathering materials? What do I do if I run into a wild animal? His mind was always spinning, about something or another, and it tended to be a little tiring from time to time. Truly, he knew what needed doing: he’d already gathered the majority of the supplies he needed and would heading home rather before the sun rose fully; the belt pouch he had strapped on over his dark brown traveling pants and the small bag he carried on his back had more than enough room to carry the scarce supplies he was sure to find; and if he ran into any sort of creature he would simply fight his way out. The fact of the matter was less that he was concerned about the matter at hand, and more so about the so-far-un-encountered threat that the former Steward-Kazekage, Takahashi Sousuke, had mentioned during his broadcast to the entire city a few days ago. The mechanized man had referred to this threat as a ‘horde’ or a ‘swarm’ that they would fight off, but Kazu knew better than that. It’s just some roaming bands of thieves and highwaymen. I can take them.
Besides, if the threat really was that great, then why would he be allowed out of the village? Can't be that dangerous if they think I'll be fine out here on my own. Stuffing that little inkling of doubt into the back of his mind, Kazu kicked off from his rocky perch to continue on with his search — he didn’t have all morning to sit here considering every possibility.
Steadily, and mindfully, Kazukura proceeded with caution. His eyes peeled and head on a swivel, Kazu was ready for an encounter with anything. He was no stranger to this countryside, having grown up in a family that regularly took ‘survival trips’ out into the desert — really, Kazu just thought Ryohei wanted an excuse to be extra tough on him and Enishi where no one else could see. He knew quite a good deal about the various flora and fauna around him; which were edible, which were dangerous, and which were useful. Maybe those survival trips really were useful? Scowling, Kazu resolved not to give that scaly old lizard of his father any more credit than necessary, even within his own thoughts.
Sand crunched underfoot, a cold wind picked up, and suddenly Kazu was nervous. You’re just being paranoid. Forget about it. No, he was certain. He could doubt himself all he wanted, but if there was one thing the young boy knew it was that he ought to trust his instincts. He was a natural fighter, a survivalist, and above all too stubborn to back down once he set his mind to something. Something’s here. I can…hear it? Smell it? Closing his eyes for a moment, Kazu’s breathing slowed as he focused his attention inwards. What do I feel?
He felt the wind blowing in from the North East. He smelled something on the wind; vaguely rotten, or perhaps unwashed? There was something else — he heard the faint sounds of animals scurrying about, rushing to find cover, as if expecting an assault of some sort. The beasties are all worried. But of what? The worst of the predators would have long since found refuge from the fast approaching day. He hardly thought the anxiety from the animals around him could have been his doing alone; though the thought amused him, he wasn’t nearly that much of a threat. Then what could have…?
Slowly peaking a tall dune before him, Kazu kept low to the surface of the sand to avoid being seen while he peered out. As soon as he saw them, he was glad he’d thought to stay hidden: a group of thirty or fifty humanoid shapes shambled aimlessly through the desert, ignoring terrain, cacti, and other common obstructions as if they had no concept of mortality. Is this The Swarm? Kazu quickly realized he would not be able to fight against those sorts of numbers — maybe a couple at a time, if he was careful, but certainly not an entire group like this. His recklessness had gotten him into a sticky situation, again.
I knew this could happen. This is all my fault! Anger and frustration, at himself, began to boil up from within. No! I need to focus. I need to get out of here! Backing away slowly, Kazu thought the best solution would be to merely backtrack to where he’d been before. Yet, in his panic and surprise at seeing before him what he’d thought was merely exaggeration, it was not to be — the boy heard shuffling behind him, only to realize too little too late that a scouting party had circled around and caught him in a pincer tactic. Ambling up to him from behind were another five or six soulless figures; little more than walking puppets.
”Well that’s just brilliant, isn’t it?” Crouching into position, Kazu knew he’d have to fight his way out. I should have brought a headset with me…
Kazukura surveyed the land before him from his perch atop a small rock outcropping that jutted barely an extra few feet out of the ground — it was practically a mountain in a sea of sand. His crimson red eyes were hard and meticulous, passing over each new stretch of land before them with the same intensity and sense of purpose as he had done the entire morning, looking ceaselessly for the handful of herbs, plants, and weeds, which made up the short list of items he was responsible for resupplying. Drawing a piece of beige cloth hanging around his neck, meant to cover his head when the sun inevitably began to bake the land, over his mouth and nose to keep wandering dust out of his lungs, Kazu began to mentally review the list of needed items. Prickly Apple extract. Rose Cactus spines. Knocksroot. If I can find them, maybe even some Pink Thimble-Berries for cooking? Definitely as many Wax Fruit leaves as possible. What else…?
His muscles relaxed a bit as he settled in for a little consideration. When his mind started going, Kazu could be sure he’d get lost in his thoughts somewhere along the way. Do I have enough time before the sun rises? Did I bring enough pouches for gathering materials? What do I do if I run into a wild animal? His mind was always spinning, about something or another, and it tended to be a little tiring from time to time. Truly, he knew what needed doing: he’d already gathered the majority of the supplies he needed and would heading home rather before the sun rose fully; the belt pouch he had strapped on over his dark brown traveling pants and the small bag he carried on his back had more than enough room to carry the scarce supplies he was sure to find; and if he ran into any sort of creature he would simply fight his way out. The fact of the matter was less that he was concerned about the matter at hand, and more so about the so-far-un-encountered threat that the former Steward-Kazekage, Takahashi Sousuke, had mentioned during his broadcast to the entire city a few days ago. The mechanized man had referred to this threat as a ‘horde’ or a ‘swarm’ that they would fight off, but Kazu knew better than that. It’s just some roaming bands of thieves and highwaymen. I can take them.
Besides, if the threat really was that great, then why would he be allowed out of the village? Can't be that dangerous if they think I'll be fine out here on my own. Stuffing that little inkling of doubt into the back of his mind, Kazu kicked off from his rocky perch to continue on with his search — he didn’t have all morning to sit here considering every possibility.
Steadily, and mindfully, Kazukura proceeded with caution. His eyes peeled and head on a swivel, Kazu was ready for an encounter with anything. He was no stranger to this countryside, having grown up in a family that regularly took ‘survival trips’ out into the desert — really, Kazu just thought Ryohei wanted an excuse to be extra tough on him and Enishi where no one else could see. He knew quite a good deal about the various flora and fauna around him; which were edible, which were dangerous, and which were useful. Maybe those survival trips really were useful? Scowling, Kazu resolved not to give that scaly old lizard of his father any more credit than necessary, even within his own thoughts.
Sand crunched underfoot, a cold wind picked up, and suddenly Kazu was nervous. You’re just being paranoid. Forget about it. No, he was certain. He could doubt himself all he wanted, but if there was one thing the young boy knew it was that he ought to trust his instincts. He was a natural fighter, a survivalist, and above all too stubborn to back down once he set his mind to something. Something’s here. I can…hear it? Smell it? Closing his eyes for a moment, Kazu’s breathing slowed as he focused his attention inwards. What do I feel?
He felt the wind blowing in from the North East. He smelled something on the wind; vaguely rotten, or perhaps unwashed? There was something else — he heard the faint sounds of animals scurrying about, rushing to find cover, as if expecting an assault of some sort. The beasties are all worried. But of what? The worst of the predators would have long since found refuge from the fast approaching day. He hardly thought the anxiety from the animals around him could have been his doing alone; though the thought amused him, he wasn’t nearly that much of a threat. Then what could have…?
Slowly peaking a tall dune before him, Kazu kept low to the surface of the sand to avoid being seen while he peered out. As soon as he saw them, he was glad he’d thought to stay hidden: a group of thirty or fifty humanoid shapes shambled aimlessly through the desert, ignoring terrain, cacti, and other common obstructions as if they had no concept of mortality. Is this The Swarm? Kazu quickly realized he would not be able to fight against those sorts of numbers — maybe a couple at a time, if he was careful, but certainly not an entire group like this. His recklessness had gotten him into a sticky situation, again.
I knew this could happen. This is all my fault! Anger and frustration, at himself, began to boil up from within. No! I need to focus. I need to get out of here! Backing away slowly, Kazu thought the best solution would be to merely backtrack to where he’d been before. Yet, in his panic and surprise at seeing before him what he’d thought was merely exaggeration, it was not to be — the boy heard shuffling behind him, only to realize too little too late that a scouting party had circled around and caught him in a pincer tactic. Ambling up to him from behind were another five or six soulless figures; little more than walking puppets.
”Well that’s just brilliant, isn’t it?” Crouching into position, Kazu knew he’d have to fight his way out. I should have brought a headset with me…
Cresting over the horizon of a far away dune he could just barely make out the visage of the 'Horde' he had been tracking. 
Suddenly the group that had surrounded the unsuspecting kid, it looked like it was curtains for this fresh face. A sudden poof of white clouds exploded in front of Kazukura. A presence could be felt as the dust began to settle. 
Kaen's clones were all gone now, having being almost literally eaten alive by the Unbent. Despite having no real substance to themselves those crazy things still wanted a piece. Unsatisfied with clone-brulee the seemingly innumerable swarm of Unbent rushed at Kaen. Unswayed by the intimidation factor that this massive sea of Unbent possessed by their sheer numbers, Kaen needed to think this through. Up until he felt something coming his way. Looking to the skies he saw that the armor-clad boy had figured out a new trick and was haphazardly diving straight towards the ground. Wasting no time, the Sunan red-head dove head first into the fray, slicing and dicing his way through the waves of Unbent. 
Not unlike a meteor racing towards impact, so too did the armor-clad Kazu come literally rocketing back down towards the battlefield. Brilliant hues illuminated the sky above like a celestial being descending to earth. Time stood still for the briefest of moments, Kaen in the midst of an Unbent swarm would look up just in time to catch a glimpse of Kazu's look of pure joy. It touched his heart to know that the youth of Sunagakure held such ferocious promise.
Like a thermonuclear bomb, the force of Kazu's impact sent a tremendous concussive wave of fiery energy across the desert sands. At the last possible second Kaen would encapsulate himself inside a ebony-scaled dome. [Black Blockade] Unbent clashed against the walls of his jutsu, literally trying to tear their way into his safe-space. But they were too late, Kazu had arrived... The very walls that surrounded him shook and became superheated. Kaen had no way of knowing what was transpiring outside, but he knew whatever it was it was surely obliterating the Unbent outside.