Contract Search Alone at Last? [Dual Contract Search]

[Nara Shizukesa]

It was quiet by the waterfall this time of year, Ishi sat there looking at the ripples in the water from the fall he had a moment to himself, it wasn't often that he found these moments and he would relish this moment without any issues. Since taking on the position inside of the village, things had been none stop for the Captain, so for a moment even if it was small, the sound of birds in the trees. The sunlight beaming through the leaves and causing almost beams to pierce the tree surrounding this place gave him time to recollect everything that had transpired.

Sighing to himself he let his hand pick up a rock from the shore of the lake, bringing his arm back he snapped it in a whipping motion watching the rock skim across to the water only lasting four times before sinking back into the murky water. His mask hiding his face from the world, and the black robes of the ANBU keeping him from being identified, in this time outside of the village, he wondered just what the future would hold for the entire village, what this next generation of students would achieve and if they were ready for the real world in front of him.

"Well I guess for now I have to put my faith in the training they undergo, but that doesn't mean I can be slacking, no I need to focus on my own tasks and allow myself to become stronger. I am committed to protecting this village, and that means that I am the first line of defense."

His voice echoed out to the lake, as he allowed his thoughts to echo around considering himself alone to anyone else, and unaware that he wasn't ever truly alone even in a place like this.


[304/1500 words]
[Discovery of Contract of Your Choice - Shark]
[Dual Search]

 

[Kimari Bōmu]

Chaos, frustration, conflict and madness. The boys most recent weeks at the academy had been full off nothing but all of that. What he needed was some time to meditate alone, just him and the elements, talking it out and intertwining. On his way to the valley he had thought about what it symbolised and what it meant. Two conflicting shinobi about to partake in the heat of battle... It almost resembled his previous hardship with Kiriyomi. Upon reaching the valley his ability to stand on the water, taught by Nao-sensei, had been easily mastered and being put to good use as he sat on the calm surface of the water.

There he was with Akio and Kiriyomi, they had just all become genin and finally put their differences past each other, now on their very first mission to travel the quiet forests of Konohagakure in the search of vile bandits needing a good beating. The three would miraculously bounce from branch to branch, whilst Kiriyomi would use his kikai swarm and emerald emitter to track their targets, Akio providing the support with several med kits and his own specialised Medical ninjutsu. And for the Kyoujouran. Well he was there to protect the two of them. That's what he was there for. It was his purpose! His one goal.

And it had all happened so fast. Kiriyomi's arm was gone, the rock skinned boy was effortlessly thrown away and treated like he was nothing to them, Akio and Kiriyomi both out of commission. Why was he there if he couldn't even protect his friends, only keeping himself conscious. The malicious laughs echoed throughout the air as blood would begin to flood the forest Akio and Kiriyomi fading away in Keniwa's arms, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. He was sinking, in to the void unable to think unable to feel, falling deeper and deeper. Falling completely still.

Then there was the ripple. His eyes opened, gasping for air, whilst underwater unable to maintain his composure , frantically swimming upwards in a primal attempt to live. Sweeping the water past him as the bubbles flew upwards and his vision became blurry. He didn't want to die, unable to act. And there it was, the surface, he painful spat and threw up a large amount of water as he would swim towards shore, shaking from the horrible experience he had just relived. It happened all over again.

(406/1500)

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

The peace, the tranquility was instantly brought to a spluttering and frantic end as a young boy came flustering out of the water, it seemed that Ishi had managed to miss him in those few seconds, as he watched the boy heading towards shore, he moved quickly wading into the water before grabbing at the boy's shoulders and hauling him out of the water and across the rocks onto the grass bank and plodding him down like a trash bag, without much effort. Standing over the boy he quickly studied him, it seemed at least his body was still working to keep him alive.

"Should I ask why you were trying to drown yourself here? I mean this place is supposed to be tranquil and peaceful, I don't expect to find what, an Academy Student out here at the best of times. Shouldn't you be inside of the Academy studying or something?"

Ishi stood over the boy, the sun radiating around the shadow of the figure, keeping his eyes focused on the kid he wanted to make sure that everything was well, and at least he really didn't fancy having to write up another load of paperwork or even try to explain to his Sennin how he had a dead kid on his hands for just going on a small lunch break. This felt like a massive pain and he knew it.

"We need to get back to....."

Before he could finish his words Ishi caught a glimpse of the water shifting, it was coming their way as his eyes focused on it, he held his hand out to silence the boy, even if he was dying he could do it quietly. As all of his senses heightened, he noticed a black fin coming from the water, before it stopped short of the shallow water. The water cascaded off the shape as it emerged, causing Ishi with surprise as he looked at the form of a shark in front of him.

"Why could you not let me have my peace, I was happily chilling in this lake, and one of you throws stones, and the other tries to drown, no-one has any consideration for other life than human in this place?"

Ishi, for that split second in his life, had no reply.

[Word Count: 685]

 

[Kimari Bōmu]

In a desperate attempt to get back to shore, even though he could easily walk on water, he swam like his life was dependant on it and suddenly he was on shore? He thought he was fast, but not rapid but in reality he was dumped on to the grass by an Anbu Captain, although he was completely unaware of this. A tall and slender shadow loomed over him as he flipped round and stood up to face them. And there he was towering over the barely 5ft boy, he hadn't even noticed his speed as he swooped him out of the water. Obviously without a moments notice he was interrogated by the higher ranking shinobi. , spitting out any remaining water prior to his retort. I wasn't trying to drown myself! And... it is supposed to be... your right. I apologise I was taking the day off in hopes of clearing my mind."

However it was about time he stopped talking and faced the music, he had never seen this Shinobi before but judging by his mask he was clearly a high ranking Anbu, hanging his head in shame whilst he gently clenched his fists. It was just another hardship the boy was going to have to face alone, he didn't blame the Anbu or anyone in fact only himself for being vulnerable. The life of a shinobi would never be an easy one and clearly it was about to get even more difficult. Right as he was about to given instructions suddenly he could sense a disturbance on the earth with his tremor sense, the water felt as if it was ripping apart as a presence came towards the two. A black fin tearing emerging and with it was a shark.

The Anbu raised his palm towards Keniwa which he took as a sign to let him handle things. However the Kyoujouran was in shock, he had never seen one before in his life, only having read about Sharks in books at the library. To him it seemed like something completely awesome, however this one was... well ticked off would be putting it lightly. Keni gazed in awe as the shark would begin to speak, his mind already blown was now completely eviscerated. "Why could you not let me have my peace, I was happily chilling in this lake, and one of you throws stones, and the other tries to drown, no-one has any consideration for other life than human in this place?"

And whilst Ishi was silent for just a moment, it was long enough for Keniwa to slowly begin approaching the shark in amazement. "Hello! My name is Keniwa! You can... talk! That's so talented! I've never even seen a shark let alone hear one speak! I'm sorry if we were disrespectful to your lake. But I promise I didn't mean to drown, especially if I had known you were here!" He smiles at the shark with a large happy grin, gazing at it with wonderous thoughts, unaware of his superior's reaction behind his back.

(507)
(913/1500)

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

Ishi snapped back to reality in that second as it seemed Keniwa was already walking forward, from what he had said about clearing his mind, it seemed that it was almost surreal, to see such an expression of wonder and amazement on a child's face as he walked towards the shark. Listening to the boy speak to the shark, he turned his attention fully to it, as he cocked his head slightly, it seemed the apology given was a sensitive one, but after all, this was a shark that they were talking to, it was something that he really was struggling to understand, he wasn't even sure if he would ever get his head round it to.

"I also apologize, I have no name wearing this mask, but know that it is an honor to meet one of your kind, and the disruption caused was not out of malice"

The shark moved its tail a bit as it gently moved in the water, the air still flowing into its lungs as the eyes, though black seemed focused on the two of them, was almost intimidating, off-putting in certain aspects, and not something he came to expect, but Ishi knew today would not be one that was considered standard.

"One of you unable to control your emotions, lacking restraint, and still haunted by their own self-doubt, the other a faceless soldier for a village with no patience for children. Both of you have an issue with patience, forgiving, and forgetting, and this is what has disrupted my very peace. So I ask for some trust from both of you, I want you to learn that trust, or it will kill you. Come with me to the bottom of the lake, see the peace that you so very much which to ruin. Come with me, using your Chakra to form a pocket of air will be your first test, failing to do this, make no mistake you will drown."

Ishi glanced across to Keniwa, as he watched the shark vanish into the darkness once more, it was down to them what happened next, but he knew he wanted to learn. Something inside of him yearned to learn from this creature, as he stepped into the cold water, feeling his clothes become damn he continued to step, his hands coming together as he did as instructed, focusing on creating a bubble of air, for him to break with. He gestured to the student to follow or lead the way, either way, they needed to get to the bottom of the lake.

[TWC:1,113]

 

[Kimari Bōmu]

Keniwa stared intently at the shark in full hopes of befriending it, not for any other purposes other than solely wishing for it to be his friend, his experience with contracts was very minimal and this had been the very first he had talked to outside of Hoshirei's fox. It seemed like every child's dream to be talking to something as crazy as a shark, however they had probably gotten of on the wrong foot, first impressions were important. And his first impressions with the shark and the unnamed shinobi were both... well near to terrible. Looking back at the Anbu as he would reply a sincere smile on his face as he would gently nod in respect towards him, before spinning back round to the scaled marine beast before the two of them.

He would clearly see the shark's thoughtful beady eyes stare at the two of them as it's tail would gently move inside of the water, it didn't seem to be aggressive much more wise and thoughtful than mean and hungry.

The shark's words struck like daggers, upon just a small amount of time of it being near the two of them. He had already completed figured out Keniwa's strife. It wasn't his actions which disturbed the shark but their own inner emotions swirling inside of the two of them consuming them like a whirlpool and leaving nothing left but for them to drown in their own lack of patience, forgiveness and forget. Although it's request for them to travel to the depths of the lake was completely ridiculous there was no way they'd be able to. And before he could even react he watched as Ishi would submerge himself in to the water as a bubble of air formed around his head.

And then it was just him. Alone with himself and the water again. He thought about everything, all his experiences everything he faced. 'Kiriyomi, Take, Akio, Aria, Shusuke, Otami, Jinzo, Keiyaku, Seto and everyone else....' They were all there for him even when he suffered conflict, he had plenty of worthy allies to help him. No matter all the pain he would eventually harbour they'd be there for him. And just like that, the bubble formed around him, the feeling of protection guided him as he would step behind Ishi following him in to the lake. The water whilst cold wouldn't phase him as they seeped downwards.

(403)
(1316/1500)

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

Ishi had to keep focus, inside of him was a whirling of emotions that continued to make the bubble he was keeping shift in shape and threaten to burst, With each step he took the water slowly came over him, the sunlight fading and shifting as he took each step, into the crystal clear waters below with the sun illuminating a dazzling array of colors, it seemed that this oasis was now a haven for the two of them, he continued to check on Keniwa. Though he really couldn't have spoken to the boy, he found the words came out anyway, and could be heard.

"Forget, put the past behind you, this is our chance to prove we are strong, we need to make sure that we focus on ourselves, calm the emotions, and do as instructed, or we won't last in here. Keep calm, focus on the moment, forget the past, and focus on your center."

He continued his walk, and as he reached the bottom he saw the flat area, the shark circling around it slowly, as it kept turning to make sure they were approaching, for Ishi's take he hoped that this was going to be a reward for placing his trust into this creature, rather than a return in pain. As he walked to the center, he waited for Keniwa to join him.

"Find your center, envelope yourself within the peace under the water offers, take in the life around you, the moment, and become stronger, stop the raging whirlwinds that are your emotions, calm then, find the peace that you disrupted and realize what balance is, you do this, and you will find that your trust that had been placing to me will be rewarded, for this is my home, and you are now within it. Together, the three of us can achieve that peace that your emotions threaten to cloud."

Ishi nodded to the Shark, as he took a seat on the floor of the lake, closing his eyes and focusing on his chakra, calming the storm that had been growing with him, this creature wanted to help them, to show them what balance could bring, and he wasn't about to pass up this opportunity, as he waited carefully at that moment he slowed his breathing as well, the water becoming welcoming and the depths engulfing him into a world away from the Shinobi one above the water. Tranquility.

[Total Word Count: 1,518]

 

[Kimari Bōmu]

Keniwa had just begun to realise the strength of the ones around him, managing to manifest the bubble, yet he hadn't focused on himself quite yet. The sun's rays beating down on them as he went further and further in to the ocean, his bubble beginning to wobble when he tried to think of his own strength. However his newly found guidance gifted to him by both the shark and his superior, their words echoing throughout his head. 'Forgive and forget...' He thought about the times of his battle when he first began his time of the academy. Looking down at his arms he noticed how defined his muscles had become and realised what he was actually doing as they continued to move further in to the lake.

Eventually reaching the bottom followingly closely behind the Anbu, the shark circling the flat area constantly looking behind as if it was checking on the both of them. Despite it's initial rough exterior it did care about the two of them. The boy listened intently as the shark gave their wise instructions, Keniwa focusing on himself would sit parallel to the Anbu as the shark would circle them. Feeling the chakra flow throughout his body as he gently let his eyes close, the shame and guilt which Keniwa had would slowly begin to seep away and out of his own mind. The water calmly washing out any impurities or feelings of doubt. There was going to be times where the water would crash down on him but there would also be times where the water would calmly engulf him. In this Keniwa finally would come to terms with his past and accepting it, ready to reach new heights with the help of something which awakened inside of him. Peace.

(297)
(1613/1500)

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

Ishi sat calmly at the bottom of the lake, it seemed that both of them had managed to achieve the advice of the Shark, taking its wisdom in that split second it was clear that the trust was rewarded as the two Shinobi sat in the peaceful land that was dominated by the Shark. Its underwater realm of peace and tranquility is offered forward as a training ground for both you and old shinobi alike, in that moment it was clear that both of them had found peace, this world that had been opened to them, even if it was just under a lake was a world that had been peaceful and existing all along underwater.

"Good...it seems that once you both found your peace, you realize truly what the potential of calm in a situation really is. Finding a way to control that whirlwind inside of you both and show the focus and determination to overcome an obstacle, is my lesson to both of you, and with that, I will go now back to my depths out of sight. Never forget this lesson and always focus on the feelings and emotions within yourself and controlling them."

As Ishi opened his eyes he watched the Shark turn in the water and begin swimming away from the two of them.

"Will we be able to see you again? Your teachings and experiences, cannot just be over as soon as you shared one part of your knowledge with us?"

"We will see Leaf Shinobi, we will see"

With that the Shark was gone from sight, leaving just the two of them at the bottom of the lake to ponder on the events that they had encountered that day.

[Total Word Count: 1,804]
[Contract Mod Requested]