Childhood Squandered (Free/Open)

[Akimichi Kato]

Kato sat there on the edge of the rooftop, watching a group of kids, playing in the Sand villages shinobi training ground. With his own daily training finished, the stocky teen couldn't help but stick around and watch the academy students as they pretended to be real shinobi.

"Do you even know what a shinobi is? You never earned that headband you wear, remember?"

Kato shook his head. That voice of doubt that he had tried so hard to quiet in the back of his mind, seemed to be plaguing him more and more the longer he stayed in the Sand with no sign of his family. He sighed, trying to remember the days when he was like those kids. It was rather strange, being in this foreign place. Everything was different, a place he had never seen until now... and yet it was so similar, that it made Kato miss home. But his home was gone.

In a way, he envied those kids down there.

 

[Michi]

OC: I will join this tomorrow (at work). Quick suggestion: You may want to consider joining a topic already in progress. Since nobody knows you, it is a good way of letting people know you are a nice guy and fun to have around.

 

[Akimichi Kato]

((OoC: Thanks That usually is my plan, but I haven't seen any topics that started after I entered the village lol))

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kyojin Kuro was finally relaxing when he smelled a familiar yet somehow welcome scent. A smelled the scent of an Ogre child, not a pure blood but definitely a titan class with potential to exceed where he had failed. Patrolling the remnants of the village while letting the changes of his skills and abilities settle in his mind. He sat back and watched the wandering young man and noted that he seemed to be anxious. Almost as if he had suffered far more than anyone his age should. Yes he was a ogre blooded, the question was did he know how to use his potential?

Kyojin Kuro's eyes are as violet as the purest sunset in the skies of north just before a storm, smoldering and brimming with emotions untold. Twin orbs of silent haunting violet with a gold slit that seem to catch every movement in a casual glance. His lips are a full, rich, dark chocolate smoothness. His helmet covered the majority of his face. His nose is flared and smooth as if solid black marble could be molded into a large nose. Long hair that is silver grey in coloration but also had a natural discoloration pattern made noticeable by the dark gray hair pattern that gives his hair the appearance of tiger stripes. His neck is thick at 24 inches, leading to massively muscular shoulders and an explosively developed chest. His biceps are 28 inches around as well.

From his mid back to where his neck meets his shoulders Kuro is covered with Runic Terran Tiger Stripes. His upper right shoulder bears a tribal black lion, both his arms are streamlined with thick girded muscle. Kuro mastered the ancient Toraono Clan form of fighting known as ShiShi no Ken or Lion's Fist. Kuro is well muscled but still carries love handles which he trains daily to get rid of. Kuro has large hands, and feet. He stands at 8ft 5in and weighs 470 lbs.

Sitting back for a while longer before finally deciding to approach him Kyojin Kuro stood his full 8 feet and walked up to the young warrior in plain view before taking a knee and reaching out an armored, gauntlet covered hand in greeting.
"Hello young warrior, I am Toraono Kuro, I am honored to meet you."<i></i>

 

[Michi]

OC: Shorty - sorry been working.

Aburabuta Hirotomi
The Businessman​

The tap of an alabaster cane on asphalt shingles heralded his approach. A man, young enough, likely no more than thirty but with technology as we know it today some can maintain that youthful aesthetic well into their sixth decade. He was the former, rather than the later but certainly one day wealth would have to summon the technology necessary to maintain his near flawless countenance. Clad in a five-piece white suit that was freshly pressed with stern creases on the pant-legs and freshly polished white shoes that seemed to defy dust or scuffing. The immaculate facade was not greatly off-set by the smirk on the heir's face as he approached the behemoth and the chubby youth.

With a twirl of his cane, he rested it on a tilt as he addressed the pair. "Salutations," Aburabuta nodded to the unlettered pair. He had stopped several feet from the roof's edge, his gaze cast over the youths in the midst of play, some training and others convening with the erroneous assumption that their tryst was unseen. "Kuro, I may call you that can't I?" Aburabuta announced in what some could consider small-talk but it never was in this man's case. He shook his head, adding "...what was I thinking of course I can."</B><i></i> His destiny would soon manifest as the rallying cry of a war was not far past the horizon yet, but there were still many seeds to sow before he could reap the bounty of his and this father's efforts. "I have been looking for young workers among your shinobi hopefuls," Aburabuta explained as he changed the subject to the matter at hand. <B>"I have been living in constant angst that the Merchant Lords will try again so I am looking to bolster my security,"<i></i> Hirotomi dramatically placed his sleeve to his forehead as if he was about to swoon.

 

[Akimichi Kato]

Kato was sitting there watching the kids, lost in his own musings over his squandered past, when he was suddenly surprised by a voice behind him. A large man stood there speaking to Kato. At least Kato was pretty sure it was a large man… maybe it was a small tiger that had learned how to speak though…

“Hello young warrior,” he said kindly, extending an armored hand for Kato to shake, “I am Toraono Kuro, I am honoured to meet you.”

”So ya… a person… I hope,” Kato thought as he accepted Kuro’s offering and shook the man’s hand. The stocky teen had to crane his neck to look in the man’s eyes, as he stood almost a full 2 feet taller than Kato, which was saying something since Kato wasn’t exactly short himself. “My name is Akimichi Kato, and its nice to meet you as well,”

The young quasi-shinobi was about to ask this large man what brought him to the training grounds, and how he had come across Kato, when a light, steady tapping interrupted his thoughts. It was replaced moments later by the voice of another man, who greeted the two. This man was much smaller than Kuro, about average height, but not, as it seemed, of average wealth. He was finely dressed, like the businessman Kato remembered watching going about their days in the Leaf village. Even the way he stood and spoke told Kato he must be from a wealthy family, groomed from a young age to know all the nuances of culture and sophistication.

The man seemed to know Mr. Tigerman, addressing him by name. "I have been looking for young workers among your shinobi hopefuls,” the finely dressed man continued, “I have been living in constant angst that the Merchant Lords will try again so I am looking to bolster my security,"

Kato pointed at the two men before him, one after the other, “So… you two know each other?” he asked first, not entirely sure what the man was asking. As he played the man’s words back in his head again, realization dawned on him. ”Wait, you’re looking for students to become your mercenary bodyguards? Don’t you think that’s a little… dangerous?”<i></i> he asked.He looked once more at the kids training and playing. When he was their age he would’ve jumped at an offer like this… but that was before he understood the world for what it truly is. In Kato’s opinions, the students down there were exactly where they were meant to be. Why would this man want to put their lives in danger when they weren’t even trained yet?

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro was surprised any of the merchant lords would show their face in public much less in Sunagakure itself with the suspicion of who sent the Cabal in the air. Saiga had only recently fought for his freedom and even he would not tell whom it was that sent him. Yet, there would be answers and more questions soon, and this overly dramatic Lord Aburabata had been in many a report from Onimaru's underworld briefings. As Kuro looked upon him he could also sense a twisted nature, this one was dangerous in a mischievous way like the stories of the Ancients and those whom played dangerous pranks like the half ogre half ancient Roki brother of Thoru Ancient of Thunder. Yes, Kuro's eyes could see it somewhat... twisted within Hirotomi's being was a dark spirit, he was more dangerous than Naganisa. "Lord Aburabata, it is good to have you about and certainly you may call me Kuro as I go by many names these days and the majority of them aren't kind or friendly. Our young are not yet available for missions save special prodigies we have running about but after the next genin exam I would be happy to recommend capable beginning shinobi to complete a mission or two in your name as long as the contracts are carefully held to standard and no treachery is involved. I am certain you understand in light of all that has occurred we will not allow our future to be abused or squandered in petty disputes."<i></i> Kyojin Kuro then looked back to Kato and took a knee to explain to him... "Merchant Lords would hire our young shinobi because they cost less in their eyes and because many are so eager to improve and prove their worth they would go far beyond mission parameters to make those whom hired them happy with their service often getting involved in things far beyond the scope of their abilities. As such we typically send elder, more experienced nin to lead the youth and teach them the nuances of following a contract to the letter and only going above and beyond to keep the life and limb of those under our protection safe. I am certain that you will want further training before accepting any offers from our various merchant lords as we would only want you at your best Akimichi Kato."<i></i> Kuro made sure to address Kato in a way to let him know that he had his own offer for Kato and to make sure that Kato understood that any of the Merchant Lords would lead to great danger. After a quick wink Kyojin Kuro stood his full height and stretched in a cat like manner to ease the mood business of any kind with any merchant lord tended to inspire. Kuro hated politics but he had been raised to deal with them as a necessary evil and as a diplomatic yet demonic presence he tended to get his point across without uttering a word of intimidation in organized meetings.

 

[Michi]

Aburabuta Hirotomi
The Businessman​

“So… you two know each other?”

Hirotomi let out a hearty laugh, it sounded like coins clinking together. "Consorting with shinobi, hardly," the businessman guffawed. "Our... social circles rarely fraternize. Knowing and knowing of are very different things boy."</B><i></i>

"Lord Aburabata, it is good to have you about and certainly you may call me Kuro as I go by many names these days and the majority of them aren't kind or friendly. Our young are not yet available for missions save special prodigies we have running about but after the next genin exam I would be happy to recommend capable beginning shinobi to complete a mission or two in your name as long as the contracts are carefully held to standard and no treachery is involved. I am certain you understand in light of all that has occurred we will not allow our future to be abused or squandered in petty disputes."

'Lord Aburabuta,' Hirotomi liked the sound of that. Someday soon a seat would be his and his father's empire would be his. "Workers is hardly synonymous with missions," Aburabuta claimed citing mostly semantics.

”Wait, you’re looking for students to become your mercenary bodyguards? Don’t you think that’s a little… dangerous?”

"Something like that," Aburabuta smiled. His thin lips spread, giving a manichaean expression across his narrow angular face. "But 'dangerous' seems a tad harsh, I prefer the term 'demanding',"<i></i> he added with a genteel tone as he waved his hand at the trifle. <B>"I have the best security money can buy, what I do not have is a durable rat to run the maze." Hirotomi admitted referencing the Sunan youths at practice and play. "Afterall, I was assaulted and seized by a Merchant Lord for revealing his treachery against this community and aide never came," Hirotomi complained as he cited himself as the tragic victim.

Meanwhile the meddling Sennin explained the nuances of missions as a cell rather than as a lone man. Much harder to manipulate. Much harder to deviate. Alas, anything worth getting requires effort.

 

[Akimichi Kato]

Even though the well dressed man made the careful distinction that the men knew each other by little more than reputation, but the way they talked Kato would've guessed otherwise. it was clear neither man was very trusting of the other. They spoke of things Kato didn't quite know, but it was clear that Kuro-Tigerman saw the 'merchant lord', whatever that was anyway, as a threat to the students. Maybe threat was too strong a word, but Kato felt like both men used diplomatic language to delicately navigate a figurative minefield.

Kuro knelt down and explained why the man would be looking for students to pay over real shinobi, making it clear there was more he wanted to say, and the business man smiled. " ...'Dangerous' seems a tad harsh, I prefer the term 'demanding'... what I do not have is a durable rat to run the maze..." Kato wasn't sure he understood all of what the man said, but he wasn't aware of any time referring to people as rats was less than rude. It was clear this was a very smart, very tricky man. Kato couldn't help but appreciate this random stranger trying to keep him from being lured in by the smooth talker.

The teen stood, brushing some dirt from his shorts, and playfully thumbing his nose. "I appreciate the advice Kuro-Sama, but personally I think my skills are pretty well honed,"<i></i> he started with a chuckle, "But any consideration Aburabuta-sama might've had about hiring me are pointless. I have a mission of my own to fulfill, and as fun and honoured a position as it would be, I don't have the time to be a rat in a maze."<i></i> Well, Kato had always had a hard time holding his tongue... even before years of seclusion eroded his sense of tact.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro nodded to Aburabata while still kneeling and conversing with Kato. " On behalf of Sunagakure I apologize for no one rendering you aide for everything you have endured on our behalf. I can give you a one way method of contacting me should you have any other assaults befall you."</COLOR><i></i> Kuro then placed his attention back on Kato, <COLOR color="indigo">"Well Kato-san, I can honestly say that with your potential you could go much further than the skills you currently possess. Allow me to offer you a proposition... Train with me for 2 weeks and if you don't gain at least twice the capability you currently have I will pay you 5000 yen." Kyojin Kuro was certain this young man could master all of his former capabilities and more. As such his last set of weapons and specialized armor would not go to waste and Suna would still have access to an ally capable of restraining the giant monstrous beasts of the desert. With these thoughts in mind he wondered if the young Akimichi would accept his offer if he understood what training truly meant for those trained by the Toraono Clan.

 

[Michi]

OC: Sorry that I got to this thread so late, ad to catch up on a few other ones. When I take too long, I won't be offended if you skip me unless you think my post is going to be super interesting. Leave me in the dust, it seems Kuro has a plan for you and that is always better (a plan that is).

IC:

Aburabuta Hirotomi
The Businessman​

"I appreciate the advice Kuro-Sama, but personally I think my skills are pretty well honed." </B><i></i>

The tubby boy announced. A smirk formed on the businessman's face. "Of course your nescient skills must be, but... if you find yourself with a few hours to spare,"<i></i> Hirotomi announced as his long lightly tanned fingers slid into the breast pocket of his coat. "Then you should have my card,"<i></i> he announced with the flick of a wrist where he produced a small cream-colored rectangle that he cast in the boy's direction. The card was odd in appearance, a simple white card with raised black letters that said nothing more than Aburabuta Hirotomi. There was no address. There was no phone number or radio channel. On the reverse side, a black marking or rather a pictogram of sorts. It was complex and beautiful yet strangely ominous. The inverted pentagram and the hieroglyphic-like symbols scrawled within the borders seemed to want to tell or even daresay warn them of something impending. In a short time Hirototomi has grown brazen, but had he also grown smarter in his interactions? The same man who accomplished a sloppy kid-napping and tested out his latest 'toy' on students, he has earned the hint of a reputation most certainly and along the way he has already made some rather powerful enemies as he traverses the political framework that is Sunagakure.

" On behalf of Sunagakure I apologize for no one rendering you aide for everything you have endured on our behalf. I can give you a one way method of contacting me should you have any other assaults befall you."

Excellent...

"That would be most appreciated," Hirotomi replied simply.

"But any consideration Aburabuta-sama might've had about hiring me are pointless. I have a mission of my own to fulfill, and as fun and honoured a position as it would be, I don't have the time to be a rat in a maze." <i></i>

Of course what rat knows he is in a maze? "Of course," Hirotomi added as he took a half step back. It would appear that the Sennin had a counter-offer for the young man.

"Well Kato-san, I can honestly say that with your potential you could go much further than the skills you currently possess. Allow me to offer you a proposition... Train with me for 2 weeks and if you don't gain at least twice the capability you currently have I will pay you 5000 yen."<i></i>

Cheap was the word that came to mind, but knowing the price of a man was important. Pride and duty seem to shade cost in an unfavorable light at times, but in the end it would be irrelevant. The Sennin has taken to training young men and women, that was the point of interest more than anything else at the moment. Station and duty were prescribed specifically for a reason, such a famed clan had other concerns as of late. Insults to their integrity. Insults to their pride. Threats to their safety and those they have affiliated themselves with. <B>"It appears I have been outbid," Hirotomi announced with a feigned sigh.