Chapter 3 - Fading Giants (Dual Contract Search w/ Kei)

[Kiri]

The dry air came in quite roughly the moment they arrived in Wind Country. The difference in humidity as compared to Lightning Country was apparent, giving Jien that much unwanted nosebleed early on. He didn’t really think he would be affected that much but there was, struggling on the third time the weather had made him bled. Though, it was nothing to be much concerned with since he could simply remedy it with a few tissue papers and a cold drink, they currently have ran out of both. As such, he sighed as he felt the moisture drip from his nose. Wearing his black t-shirt and gray trousers, Jien took a moment to look ahead of them to see if there was a nearby town. His bluish coat was wrapped around his waist, preferring what breeze that blew to grace his tanned skin as opposed to covering from the sun. His white hair danced along the blowing gale that would sometimes leave a matching warm kiss on his cheek. He did not think Wind Country to have this sort of landscape as he stood perched on a cliff that overlook an expansive desert, though he did hear about deserts. He was, perhaps, on the optimistic side of things when he had at least hoped for in between towns and highways and not the endless sandsea.

There was more to these lands, he thought. He could feel a strange nostalgia surrounding him, and yet he couldn't really pinpoint why, when and where. It could have just been a memory, but not his. Or who knows what really belongs to him and what not. If he could shake it away, it would be the best. He didn't want his resolve to be clouded at that point. Not when he had someone with him.

He pinched his nose bridge for a bit before letting go when his attention was caught elsewhere. He felt a change of atmosphere around them and he wasn’t about to let his guard down for mere inconvenience brought by his fragile nasal capillaries. Slowly, he would raise a hand behind him, as if to warn, just as he lowered himself to a kneel, eyes still focused to the terrain ahead. “Something’s there. Be careful,” Jien said, not bothering to spare a glance at the girl who followed him all the way to Wind Country. Though it would be dangerous, he figured she would like it more than to be left alone back home.

[415]
[Requesting Kei]

 

[Sato Yuji]

Kei had not been to many places in the world but Wind Country was unique. There was little moisture in the air and the land felt less “green.” She had never realized that an area could feel like it was living, but she did now. It was much quieter without it, to her living was the same as a slight buzzing sound in her ears which was now quite. Something that she loved not that she had it. There were two things she didn’t like about the Country. The first was that Jien was having problems adjusting to it. He kept on getting nose bleeds and if there was one thing Kei didn’t like it was Brother bleeding. The other thing she disliked was that even at night it was bright. With no clouds in the sky and no cover, the stars shined down with an intensity and when the moon was out it was almost as bright as the sun. That meant that Kei couldn’t even use her eyes at night, something she had been able to do back in Lightning. Her clothing had also had to undergo a change, something she didn’t know how to feel instead. Instead of her normal skirts, she had been forced to move onto long pants and shirts. Her skin was not made for the sun and burned easily. Clad in a long sand-colored blouse and long brown pants she appeared to almost blend into the desert. Her only splash of color was a blue, the same blue as her brother's coat, hood and mantle. Brother had said they were going to arrive at a village soon but Kei wasn’t sure if she truly wanted to go there, the quite was nice and people would only disturb it.

Kei froze when Jein’s sent changed, his normal gunpowder and egg smell lost the egg and gained a sharp undertone. When Jien lowered himself she moved behind him, close enough to be shielded but not close enough to get in the way of any moves the other would make. It helped that she was so much smaller. Listening to his words she expanded the range of her senses. Normally she kept them tightly contained, too much expansion destroyed her concentration, but at times when it was necessary to scout she used them freely. She also contemplated creating a crystal eye but decided against it. There was no way of knowing if the thing Brother sensed had sensed them yet and using chakra was a sure fire way of attracting unnecessary attention.

[427]

 

[Suika]

Wind Country was quite contrary to Lightning Country, indeed. The air was dry, and the sun shone aggressively. The scorched desert lands were not bashful at all; they shed no mercy for any local or foreign traveler. If one was ill-prepared, they would suffer the wrath of the windy terrain and would succumb to its flaming grasp. However, these two children of Lightning appeared well-equipped to handle the harsh environment of this new land. As Jien’s senses were rightfully cautioned and his accompanied partner, Kei, took heed of his warning, the winds conjured up a controlled, yet sudden and aggressive sandstorm. It brewed gradually, but grew increasingly violent second-by-second. Would the two Kumo shinobi seek refuge?

Although specs of sand and dust flew every which way, a dark, slender figure made their way toward the group. The details of their silhouette were masked by the storm, but Kei would sense an aura of both conflict and grief radiating from the stranger. Jien, on the other hand, would sense a darker chakra. The figure continued to move toward the two shinobi. Regardless of their reaction, he’d attempt to track and approach the duo.

“I request assistance… friends.” <i></i>The masculine figure continued to stroll toward the duo. Whether they were wary or threatened by his unexpected presence, his tone wouldn’t change. Just like the winds, his voice was airy, yet sinister. He pushed his face through a pillow of sand and unveiled himself.

“…will you aid me in my journey? If you do, you’ll both receive… rewards.”<i></i> His words held a creepy undertone. Shortly after, the figure, sporting a grinning, yet unsightly Oni mask, expelled an unpleasant cackle under his breath. Who was this guy? Perhaps the two shinobi would find out soon enough.

 

[Kiri]

The sudden appearance of what seemed to be a tornado was pretty much supernatural. Jien understood the gravity of this when he could feel the radiating power from within. If he had been on his own, he wouldn't feel so apprehensive to explore it. Again, he was feeling the weight of his responsibility as a brother. Not that he would ever treat Kei as a burden but he knew he had to protect her. So he stood his ground.

Just as he was about to brace for the worst, ready to pull off a jutsu or two in order to repel the incoming sand storm or the sort, there was a fluctuation of the chakra pulse. Immediately, he rose to a stand and drew one of the guns, Egoist, and allowed the mechanism to transform into a sword. Staring at the figure who finally showed himself, Kiri became even more cautious. More so now that this entity addressed them and asked for their help. But why them? This was too much of a coincidence.

Before that, however, Jien turned to his sister and said, "Right. This won't be the first time but please don't go talking to strangers. Especially one who suddenly shows up like this while wearing a creepy mask. I know you're more than competent to handle a fight but sometimes avoiding them is better. You got that?" He wasn't going to fail as a big brother. He knew how to protect his sister. But more importantly, with Kei's memory gone black it was best to try and teach her a few of the important ones.

Only then would he turn back to look at the said demon-masked man and then said, "I don't you're giving a good argument with your suddenness and just because you addressed us a friends doesn't mean you're not hostile. I can feel the chakra about you and it's far from a peaceful one. Still, I am intrigued at what you said, but I'm not willing to bring my sister into harm just to satisfy my wanderlust. If you really require the two of us, you must at least give a condition that's in our favor."

 

[Sato Yuji]

Kei coughed as the sand began to move, going into her throat and nose. For protection, she buried her face into Brother’s shoulder. Her lack of eyesight did not affect her so hiding her face did not really impact her. Something appeared in front of them. Something whose emotions were so potent they actually caused Kei to gasp. It was as if someone had placed a lead cloak on her shoulders, and transported her to the battlefield the sound of metal clashing against metal.

As Jien stood up Kei held onto him for stability. His presence helped to remind her where she was. This caused Kei to cling even closer to Jien. This made it easy for her to feel Jien's movements as he pulled out one of his guns. Feeling that movement, she reached for her own weapons that had been attached to her waist. She doubted how helpful she would be if it came down to a fight. She knew she wouldn’t be completely useless. For now, she would rely on Brother he was more competent in the fight and had more experience with situations such as this one. Jien got tenser as the sounds in Kei’s head got louder. Whatever was causing the emotions must have finally revealed itself. The tone the thing used was at odds with the grief it seemed to be feeling.

Kei snorted as Jien turned to spoke to her. “I promise not to talk to creepy strangers,” she said in a singsong voice huffing a laugh into Jien’s back. She probably wouldn’t keep the promise, but she would try. Kei preened when she was complimented, Brother thought that she was competent in a fight. That was nice to know, not that she thought she wasn’t. It was strange that the thing that appeared was wearing a ‘creepy mask’ as Brother put it. She was curious about what kind of mask Brother found creepy.

It seemed that Jien felt the same thing from the being that she was. Kei frowned slightly as she realized that she was holding Jien back from doing what he wanted to do. "He feels so sad Brother," Kei said quietly to her brother. She agreed that they had to find out what they would be getting for their effort, bit Kei was willing to try to help the thing, Anything that felt grief like the one she was feeling couldn’t be all bad. It was creepy though.

 

[Suika]

"Creepy? Stranger? Dark chakra? Discriminatory. I'm a little hurt..." the Oni sang with a sinister tone. After a prolonged pause and a loud brushing of the wind, strange noises emitted from the demon before them. The sounds repeated, and grew increasingly louder. If one was to really hone in, it would sound as if the Oni was whimpering. Then, the waterworks. "I am hurt." The creature started to cry. It wasn't a really flattering cry, either. Like the definition of fragility, the dastardly-looking demon wept like a dainty damsel. He placed the back of his palm onto his masked forehead. "Woe is me, woe is meeeee! My troubles are incomprehensible... incomparable!" Dashing toward the young girl, the demon knelt and attempted to clasp her hands together. He bowed his head.

"You seem nicer. Help me, Onee-chan!"</COLOR><i></i> Yes, he indeed referred to Kei as his older sister, despite the noticeable difference in height and probable age. He shook his head as he blew his nose into his mask. The sound of snot splattering inside was apparent. At this point, the harsh winds began to die down as the desert cleared. The sandstorm disappeared as quick as it made its appearance. What was left, however, was a grand oddity. Composing himself after some time, the Oni stood erect and spoke more firmly. He then bowed toward the two shinobi. "Help me kill my brother, and I will give you my undying loyalty!" He shouted with high-pitched sincerity. With a smile that never escaped its mask, the Oni faced itself toward the eyes of the shinobi.

"Please?"<i></i> he asked in a gentle, seemingly innocent tone. His pleading request was heartfelt - how will the two shinobi of Kumogakure respond? <COLOR color="black">"He's over there!" the eccentric Oni shouted to a random direction in the dunes. 'There' was no where specifically. "Let's go!" he gestured at both Jien and Kei to follow him without waiting for their response. He took a large step forward and entered into a cheesy march of sorts. Clearly, this zany Youkai was optimistically jumping the gun.