Blood and Sacrifice (contract search)

[Chigokai Yuna]

It was a few days after Maru's little nightmare tutor. Ziren felt different. There was his split personality, that has surfaced due to the lesson, yes. But also for the fact that he now knows that he can't fight all of his battles alone. His fight with Izumi proved that.
He is not certain for his future since he's been getting into a lot of trouble. He needs someone, something to be there to know exactly what he's been through.
Soku has been a good friend, but she makes some impulsive decisions. Ziren sighed. He doesn't know what he is looking for out here. But here he was.
He performed some hand seals and then used Pressurized Mist. Due to his own bloodline powers instead of water mist coming out, it was blood mist.
Such a sinister thing would have frightened any other shinobi, but Ziren didn't mind. He needed to train. To get better. To be able to not only be strong enough to defend those he cares about. Or better yet, be strong enough to snuff out his evil persona that so easily takes over his mind at times.
The blood pressurized mist covered a small tree, slowly, Ziren could see that the tree was dying. The blood seeping into it and falling back out gave it an even more sinister look.
Well at least no animals were in that tree, Ziren noted, as he listened for any blood flow. Which surprisingly was none near the tree itself.
Sometimes he found it hard to control his chakra. Making water turn to blood even if he doesn't mean to.
Ziren decided to test his chakra control again, hoping that this time isn't the case.
He walked on to the water, focusing chakra to his feet. And low and behold! The water in direct contact with his feet turned crimson red.
Ziren sighed. He proceeded to sit down on the blood water, look out at the moon, and contemplate on life.
Ziren kept his ears open just in case if anyone or anything were to try and catch him, unawares. He smiled to himself, they'll have a hard time. He'll be able to hear there blood and pinpoint where they are before they could get a chance to sneak up on him.
But he then frowned. Just knowing isn't good enough. Fast reaction is required too. He thought to himself.
That's when he realized that he has so much more to learn than just getting to be fast. He needs to control his own powers for start. His talk with the other Chigokai back in Tea only proved it.
He now feels like he needs to prove to himself more than anyone that he can take control of his blood line. And not the other way around.
But, first things first. He needs to learn to calm down. To have a calm mind.
He laid down on his back, focusing chakra so that he would stay on top of the water.
He looked at the stars forming and coming out into the night sky.

 

[Suika]

OAK YEAH! Ziren has found the Plant Contract! Do you accept?

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Hm... A Chigokai using plants? Let's do it

 

[Sazuki Nao]

Ziren wouldn't have known, that in all this time, he had been watched. A tiny creature was watching him as he was moving around. Slowly he started to inch in closer. The tiny creature was maybe only an inch or 10... But he was making sure he was taking note on every hiding place. First, he was in a bush, looking to the other, the water soon turning bright red under the others feet... It raised questions by this youngling and he started to tilt his head. A tiny worried look got to him and he placed his hands on the ground, it seemed to be communicating with the earth and everything close by.

It was a rather curious little creature that was coming in closer to the other. It was observing the other, his behavior, his chakra pattern into these woods... He was rather afraid that the other was hurting the beautiful nature rather than protecting it.
It made the small thing more edge and starting to move more and more towards the waterline. Everything on the land seemed to be alive as for now. Yet his curiosity was even more sparked now that he was more and more looking to the boy sleeping. He made a squeaking sound before hiding away in some of the grass around him, but if the other did spot him. He would try to hobble running towards a larger bush and just hide there while keeping an eye on him.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

As Ziren was now as calm as he could be, totally not knowing of a creature watching him. The blood red water turned back to clear, clean water. His mind at ease. Nothing dangerous within a few thousand yards is catching his attention.

But why was it that he felt as if something was staring at him? He kind of felt uneasy thinking it might be Maru. But noticed how all of nature around him seems alive, not afraid to make noise and whatnot. If Maru was here, everything would be dead silent.

He sighed. The world is full of mysteries that even countless trips to the library won't bring sufficient information needed. Ziren then walked back on to dry land and sat near the bush where the creature lay hiding.

He was surprised to see that he managed to turn the water back to its original state, just from being calm.

"Well. I guess this is a first step to make sure I can control my blood line." He said to himself, only half impressed. "Next step. Don't be a mess up."

Ziren took a look around, sure that someone or something was watching him. That is, until his eyes fell upon a little creature that was hiding in the bush.

Ziren, not used to be surprised, was surprised. He jumped back, "Ahh!" He was at a loss of words. What was this? It seemed to be very young. And if it seen his actions earlier it certainly must be scared.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

The small creature was looking with his bright small green eyes towards the others chest area. It was looking if there was any sign of the person was alive or dead basically. In his tiny arms, he was holding a tiny chestnut which he had gathered a long while ago. The chestnut was already cracked open and didn't hold much inside it anymore. The tiny creature was suddenly freezing up in his movements before having his gaze more and more focussed on the person who was now suddenly moving. He looked higher and higher up till their eyes were meeting up with each other and the small creature was swallowing. The next moment was a moment even it didn't think much about it. The reaction was the same as the other. As he screamed the tiny creature also made a squeak like a scream and started to run first a circle before actually throwing the chestnut towards the other at an incredible speed. However, he wasn't sure it would hit as it was thrown in such a panic spree. After that he started to run away inside the bushes, hiding yet staying close enough to let the other do an action. But coming from himself closer was a no go.

---

[[Ooc note: If you wish to pass for this C-search. For the Head mod and me. Please post with more effort in the future posts.]]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

As Ziren retreated from the small creature, he was hit right between the eyes with a chestnut. He winced in pain but didn't say anything at all. For such a small creature, it sure had a powerful arm on it.

He then thought about the situation. To the small creature, he must be terrifying. And this interested Ziren enough to want to start up a conversation. Instead of looking for the little creature, Ziren simply sat down on the ground.

"Look. I'm sorry about earlier,
little guy. How about we just start this over and rewind. Hi, I'm Chigokai Ziren."

Ziren held out his hand to shake, not even knowing where the little green one was. He waited, trying to stay still to not frighten the little one.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

A loud, screeching squeek had been heard and the tiny fella ran as if his life was on the line right now. More of them started to come out of their hiding to see what had been going on with the single one that had made the sound. Soon there was a different sound coming from the bush, almost as if it was purring yet vibrating noise. It became silent again when they heard the other talk again.... and slowly, more and more came from their hiding places. Yet the one Ziren had already seen, was looking from the bush.

As they all listened... slowly there was a whole lot more movement all around Ziren. Moments later and many of those tiny creatures were all around him, yet they all looked different from the one. All other had grey eyes, dead looking eyes and their bark was old and dried up. Not of the one that slowly let his face be seen again. Bright green orbs were scanning the area as if it seemed, on his head, there were tiny mushrooms sprouting and his body was soft as brown moss had grown over him. Step by step the creature got closer towards the water where the other was still in the middle of. It had gotten curious again in the other and was looking with bright eyes. It held out the hand which was maybe an inch total...
It spoke in a rather high pitched tune, but it wasn't anything that the normal human would understand. All the other creatures slowly got closer, but the closer they got the more they started to fade away also but this was because they all slowly turned around. Every single one was holding a chestnut in their tiny arms. A sharp sound of a whistle was released of the front one who slowly got tears in his eyes. The small leader was upset because of something, and Ziren was moments away from having the tiny army let a rain of chestnuts go over him. Because all of them were soon taking aim... One moment passed, another passed and another sound followed and all of them threw the chestnuts.

---

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren must have done something wrong, for he was then pelted with acorns, coming from everywhere. "Ow! Hey stop that! Please!"

Finally, the acorns stopped. He looked at the small army of little plant creatures. He out his hands up, as a sign of peace. "Truce. Truce. I'm sorry little ones. Just, please, let me talk." He waited for more acorns to be thrown at him, but thankfully, for the moment, it has stopped.

He picked up on of the acorns, and he made hand signs, rain dance. He made it to where it was only lightly raining. Nearby, the tree that had blood on it. Now the blood was washed away due to his justsu, and it actually looked like the tree was getting better! He then proceeded to dig a small hole and put the acorn in the now mud, not too much water to drown the acorn, but enough to make it want to grow. After he put some dirt back on it, he then stood back up, making the rain stop. He put his hands back up, just in case if the little creatures still thought of him as hostile.

"See? I can help. I can also help you all if you are having troubles with other creatures that are bigger and badder than me. I can make them stop hurting you if you want. Truce?" He does feel bad the the little creatures. They were just defending their own. And now Ziren wonders if there was something else out there. Something that would make them act this way, even if it was just a first time bad encounter with the young Chigokai.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

The small creatures had made it rain onto the other which was apparently on the unfortunate end. The tiny army was soon done as they all had only a single one. "Truce. Truce. I'm sorry little ones. Just, please, let me talk." it was right after those words that they had stopped with throwing the acorns and walnuts and all kinds. The one up front was slowly inching closer as he had spoken about how he wanted to talk, but was keeping the distance between them. It was strange for this tiny young creature that the man was walking on water, let alone the action what he was doing.

The tiny creature started to get closer as Ziren would be planting them down... It made a soft squeak and looked at the tiny hole... He started to help him out even by digging a small hole, plant one... and look towards him. It was like he was wanting to tell that this, what he was doing, was a good thing and that they could continue. At the word truce... The tiny creature started to place the tiny hand under his cheek, seemingly thinking... But he was now all alone again, none of the other creatures were even close to being seen. Inching and Inching closer he started to try to climb Ziren. If this was possible he would sit on the shoulder or leg of the other. If it wasn't possible he would sit in front of him before offering his tiny hand.

He would point it towards a direction and would start to get towards that direction himself. In a great speed! For Ziren to walk and the creature was already jogging, eventually, he sprinted down which would be a jogging kind of motion for Ziren.

The tiny creature was trying to bring him to the place which had been destroyed completely by a fire, but there was clear visual that not only the trees had suffered, but also all the inhabitants.

---

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

At least Ziren did something right. As he planted an acorn into the ground, and called for truce, the same looking little plant creature came forward to him. It even went to help him plant the acorn.

Ziren noticed that all the other creatures have disappeared into the greenery. He looked around and couldn't see a single other one except for the one that was right in front of him.

While he was preoccupied with looking around to see if any walnuts would come and hit him in his face, he only noticed at the last second that the creature climbed up on to his shoulder and sat there.

It then got up and pointed in a direction before sliding down one of his arms and running in that direction. He followed the little creature, wondering what was up.

Eventually, it led him to an area of the woods that was completely destroyed by what looks like a fire. He could hear the blood of the dead all around. And he knew that it wasn't just the plant creatures that have suffered from this. His eyes narrowed when seeing a leaf head band in the midst of the destruction.

And suddenly, his mind was back in time... Back when that rogue ninja came. And he killed the caravan that took Ziren in. Ziren was the only survivor of that forest fire. Back in the present, he let a single tear roll down his face, remembering that horrible time. He went and picked up the seared head band. And looked at the little creature.

"I can help. By both restoring this place to the way it was before the fire.
And if you want, also find the person responsible for this. But I will need your help for both."

He reached his hand out to shake, far enough away to make it look like he means no harm.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

Many of the small creatures were suddenly disappeared. Almost as if they had never existed before. Slowly the creature started to walk again, breathing heavily from the run and picking up a half scorched acorn. He showed sorrow to it and started to walk further.
Yet what the creature noticed, that he wasn't really here on earth. His mind was set to wander around and for both of them, that wasn't safe at least not here.
The creature started to look down and then slowly up. He had a brilliant idea coming to mind. He looked once more towards the half-burned down acorn and place it good in hands. Taking aim for the other person and he almost had thrown it towards Ziren, who had snapped back to here and now. He started to observe the other and saw the tear streaming down his own face. He was wondering why this had happened and felt a suddenly bad for almost throwing it to him.

He started to listen towards him and slowly he would nod a few times. It seemed to whoever this person was, that there was more than just the forest and the fire. It had him somewhat alarmed... He raised his tiny hand to shake the others hand. Suddenly all the tiny creatures were around again, all of them were holding seeds. They were all small, but the one with Ziren was so far the more colorful of them all. Not to mention the one looking alive. The offer was a good one... but one he couldn't promise to keep, which he did tell them right here and right now.

All the creature around them were slowly laying down on the ground, giving the seed an instant boost and glowing up... They were already busy with restoring the place. All the other creatures had been old, almost forgotten and were taking their own ritual, giving life to new life in the forest.
The spirit of the creaturs all lit up like it were fireflies... They got away and their body was now already tiny plants growing.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren noticed that all the plant creatures have come back. But then he noticed that these were different from the one that stood by him. He could tell that they were full of sorrow, but also full of life, and hope.

They all were using their own powers to revive the burnt down forest. Ziren put on the scorched head band and looked up to the sky. He then made his hand seals, until some clouds came, and water started to come down as light rain. And with Ziren's chakra running through it, it helped the plants in the area grow faster, at a pace unbelievable.

He could tell that some were dying, just to use up all of their powers to restore the forest to it's once fruitful state. He let his own chakra run out into the area, hoping that the creature can somehow use this to refuel themselves to keep the place growing and also not die in the process of doing so.

For once, he actually felt at peace, he felt happy. Whole. Ziren let the rain stop once when he noticed that the forest was back at it's green state. Not a single bit of ash or burned bark left in the area. Except, for his new head band, leaf headband that was scorched. He took it off, and kept his original on, putting the one he found into his pocket.

He'll need to talk to one of the higher ups about a possible murder. But for now, he needs to make sure that his new friends are okay.

Once the little creature that was with him before, shook his hand, Ziren got up.

"Thanks for the help. I only wish that I had known about this sooner so that I could have even stopped whoever did this in the first place. Are we all friends now?"

 

[Sazuki Nao]

All the small creatures had placed them with the seeds to that they would grow over time, still in a rather quick pace... It all seemed to go alright with the water also... Even the small creature was happily dancing for a moment. He stopped as he wanted to shake the other's hand... But that moment something horrible had happened... The already dead creatures started to absorb the water, growing and bloating. Eventually, some of them popped and there wasn't any water around them... It seemed that the body structure of them couldn't really handle the sudden amount of water in this region and the sudden purge of the water. The plants which were already growing were soon found to be withering. The small creature turned to see what was going on and found pieces of bark from his now fallen brothers. A weep was soon heard and the upset creature was acting like it... throwing a tarampthum like a small child would do and farted... But not anything like a casual fart... Nope, this was a 4 by 4 feet around them, a tear gas-like construction was in it and he started to run away to the more green woods, wanting to get away from now the murderer of his people.

---

OOC note:
» Your last post was god-modded. Please do not do this again. This is the main reason I threw it around.
» I gave you two options right now, choose wisely.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren was surprised at what happened next. All the little creatures died. It must have been something about his chakra. But he could see that the little creature that was left was sad, and wanted nothing to do with him.

Ziren looked around as everything went back to the way it was before. It was just his luck. For everything to be going right for once, and then for it to just fall apart right before him. Just then, some kind of gas erupted, and Ziren was coughing badly. He managed to get out if the gas, his eyes stinging. He looked around and couldn't find anything around him except for the ashes of the dead wilderness around him.

He cursed at himself for this was his fault, not knowing that his chakra would do such a thing. He took the scorched head band out of his pocket and looked at it. Maybe he was no different from the person that did this. That made the forest fire to begin with. He clutched the headband in his hand.

He has made up his mind. He wasn't going to let this deter him. Ziren got up, and walked back into the green forest to look for the little creature. Hoping that nothing has hurt it.

(Ooc, sorry about that. Won't happen again. Continues on with search)

 

[Sazuki Nao]

While the Anbu in Training began to make his way back into the parts of the forest that were unscathed from the fires, the pint-sized creature was hidden between bushes. Within these bushes, something was there...something that was evil and was causing the forest to begin weeping. That particular something was unfortunately unknown for Ziren who had only begun to make his way back into the forest. Nevertheless, the tiny creature had wandered off towards one of the beautiful spots that were still around every the incident that transpired only a short while ago. In this particular hidden location, everything was green and it was quite secluded, but thinking ahead the creature had made the path easy for this human to follow by leaving acorns scattered around.

When the bloodbender would make his way to this location, it was almost feel like a small oasis as the water was crystal clear and the small animals of the forest were drinking or grazing. As for this short-statured individual, it had decided to place itself by a few rocks and tiny sobs slowly began to come from the creature. It was obvious that it was quite upset by the events that had unfolded a short while ago as part of its home had been burned down to the ground. However while it was weeping, the other creatures never once approached the poor, little forest spirit and while it was somewhat odd, it wasn't necessarily unheard of in the wild especially since showing any signs of pain or weakness put a creature at a severe disadvantage and often forced them from any packs that they were apart of.
The question that Ziren would have to ask himself however was would he approach the creature and try to fix things that had happened between them since the get-go or was he going to simply leave the creature alone to sob its poor little eyes out. He had a decision to make, but he also needed to consider the other animals that were around them and be on alert for the evils that were lurking in the forest aside from himself. What would he actually do?

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren walked out of the ashen wasteland and into the woodlands. Where he instantly felt more alive. The air was fresh here. No smoke and no dead things. He then noticed some acorns littering around the place. That's when he realized that it was like a little path.

He followed it until he came across a little spring. He noticed that there were animals there, even without having to listen for blood. He now realized that he out too much chakra into trying to help bring the forest back to life. He needs to make sure that nothing comes to harm this little plant creature as all other animals ignore it. Ziren himself, was unaware of the evil that lurks there except for a strange feeling from hearing the blood around him. He walked carefully and quietly to the little creature. He coughed to make his presence known before talking.

"I'm sorry. About what happened. It's totally my fault. But if you are willing. I want to help out again. This time.
I won't mess up. That is a promise."

Ziren sat down. He looked around to see the animals mainly avoiding the little plant creature. Ziren felt sorry for what he did. Even when he tries to help, it somehow always turns to a disaster. But he wanted to redeem himself. To show that he can beat the evil inside of him and show everyone that he isn't some kind of monster.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

A lot of things had been happening, he had found a stranger on the water. Walking on it, floating around him. They were on their way towards the burned down forest with all of them, wanting to restore it by what had happened. Yet once he took the stranger with him things had an alternative way of going. All the creatures that had given their lives were gone, all the friends he had. Were gone. And he was left alone right now.

The sounds of wind rustling through the leaves, water crashing on water and rocks. Other animals were drinking the water, others were grazing and some others were taking a rest in the shade. But some also were warming up from the sun rays. It was a very peaceful place, the sounds were calming to hear. But the wind carried something distinct, something sad along. Those sad tunes were the sobs of the small creature that was sitting close by the rocks, having the shadow being cast over himself.

The small creature was wiping away the sobs, shivering by the thought of what just happened as he had actually seen what had been happening. A loud squeak was heard when it had heard a cough so sudden behind him. With a shaking hand, he started to turn around, placing the weight next to him to push him back on his two feet. He sniffled and looked up, it showed that he was having a difficult time... And when the voice started the creatures close by were actually making way. Running from the sudden intrusion which left them both alone.

"I'm sorry. About what happened. It's totally my fault. But if you are willing. I want to help out again. This time.
I won't mess up. That is a promise."​

The creature was listening towards him, shaking his head as he was thinking. This wasn't something he could help... or could he? It started to shift, having a worried gaze on his face and tilting his head. His hands folded into each other and soon he released the grip again. "The... forest is sick.." It squeaked out, finally talked. "Something... Is taking the life out of the forest... It is spreading, dehydrating everything... Fires get everywhere... We... cannot stop it."

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren sat down, as he finally heard the voice of the little plant. He was surprised that even after what just happened, it was willing to give him one last chance.

The forest was sick. Ziren had no knowledge of the wilderness like others. But the way the little plant described it, he still thinks that it could be a rogue ninja. But there was only one way to find out. He listened for blood, but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

If the forest was indeed sick, then Ziren will have to start thinking more of how to go about doing things.

Maybe... Maybe if they to the start if it, they can get some clues. "Okay.
How about we go to where it very first started?" He wondered how bad it was compared to seeing the first forest fire. Considering how the first brought back bad flash backs, he can only guess that this will be even worse.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

He was looking a bit distant till he heard the young AiT, his nonexistent ears perked up as he listened. "Going... back...?" He said as he seemed to be a little shocked regarding the others question. "To... To where... It started?" He stumbled on its own words. It looked around for a moment, seemingly confused by the whole idea as it's view drifted over the dead parts of his own kin.

Dripping trees with black trunks, rotting vegetation, scummy water. That was only a part of the place he thought about. The frogs were croaking, the flies were buzzing on every sight. Some animals were alive and screeching making sounds. Yet some were coving a wide arrange of scents. Decay, rot, sweat, and methane gas bubble rising through the waters. He remembered where he walked the water... that the water seeped into its bark. The algae sticking to his body and dead leave fragments and mud clumps sticking to his bark parts. Nothing was alive in these parts...
There was a deafening silence sounding and a feeling as if it was drawing him closer... giving him the feeling of surrender.

As it was remembering, seeing it in front of him, he started to shake in his spot. Slowly it was thinking, would that really solve the problem? Would that really be a wise decision to do? Its memories went back in time to reach for that dark spot when their luck left them all. After that part, that lively part of their woods had turned to somber, everything else soon followed.

Its iridescent green hues sparkled with what could be seen as tears in the eyes of the woody creature. Maybe... that would be able to help, really help. As it looked back towards Ziren, something about its eyes changed. Something akin to hope glimmering in the small emerald dots. But they were in need of help, more help than this one young ANBU in Training could provide.

Somebody stronger, stronger then them both of them had to come to help with that.

The creature tightens its hands as small fists and looked from its hands back up towards Ziren, hoping to meet some eye contact. "Yes... Maybe, just maybe that could help. But... for that to be done... We need more... I need to find someone that can help at the origin..." With its fists, it started to wipe away its tears that had formed. "Thank you." It said while making a small bow. "Thank you for your help so far... I am going to take my leave now, because where I go, humans cannot follow me." It squeaked and looked once more up to Ziren. The small creature gave an acorn to Ziren, at least it had tried to do that. But after that, he was going to take its leave. One moment It was there the next moment... It was gone as almost as if it had vanished into thin air.