Coming home. [Open/requesting entrance]

[Chikamatsu Shin]

The sand was blowing across the arid landscape. Tumbleweeds danced across the ground as the wisps of sand would create trails for the wandering plant to go down as the dry air pushed it around. Soft steps of a hazy traveler would become visible as the heat warped the projection of light and distorted the onlookers vision like nature's own genjutsu. A light tan cloak engulfed the pale man's body as he came to the village gates. His katana was sheathed to his side and a gourd was attached to his right side which one would assume was filled with water. Invisible to the naked eye was the blonde woman who followed just behind him dressed in a wintererized blue military uniform. Her steps made no impact on the sandy surface unlike the other stranger.

"Its nice to be home..."

His soft tranquil voice carried through the desolate land as he stood at the gates. Pulling the cloak off of his body the cloak would dissipate into pure chakra as it was made from the blonde man's paper style chakra. Reaching into his pocket the Mednin would grab his official identification paperwork to show his affiliation with the Omni Prime Medical Complex, and his old passport.

"Chikamatsu Shin, coming home."

As he spoke a warm smile came across his face as invisible tethers projected from his mind forming a web throughout the near vicinity to send a telepathic message to those working the gates or nearby who could recognize his arrival. He didn't want to waltz on in by himself because he knew that the anbu were always watching and he didn't want to be attacked just because he came from from his journeys.

MFT:250+

 

[Ryu Hime]

A few crows decorated the walls staring out into the ever expansive seas of sand. Of coarse no one would think them strange. No one ever expects animals to be spying on them and that is why Hakuren was so good at her job. She was a Yamanaka that had put much of her studies into improving her sensory link ability. Because of this one could hear rumors about her within the village, ‘despite being blind, she can see through the eyes of any animal she comes into contact with.’ She has earned her code name as watcher. The birds alerted her of the shinobi’s arrival before he did.

Hakuren found the communication welcoming for it is not often one speaks to her telepathically. Hakuren naturally speaks back in turn. “Welcome back kinsman.” True the two of the were of different families, but if one goes back far enough there would be a common ancestor somewhere down the line considering they both share the same heritage. “Please have your passport ready.” Hakuren was never one to physically leave the gates; the tournament was the one exception and it bit her in the butt. If a mission requires it she will do so, otherwise she prefers to go outside into the desert in a body of an animal.

A small black tomcat comes walking out of the gates and towards Shin. Hakuren knew of such kinjutsu that allows a person to see another's psyke, but doesn’t know the finer detaisl. For instant possibly do to the nature of the kinjutsu Shin could see Hakuren possessing the cat or perhaps Hakuren’s shadow, whatever that may look like, or Shin might see nothing of Hakuren and only see the shadows of bodies present. Whatever the case the cat would look at the passport.

After inspecting the paper Hakuren would return to her body, “Everything seems to be in order. You may enter”

[access granted]

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

“Welcome back kinsman.”

The unfamiliar presence of another's thoughts made the young Yamanaka descendant think of his childhood days and his mother. A shift of weight caused the boy to lean slightly left with his hand landing on his hip. Pulling up his right hand he would send out a message of his own. "I see I have family here."

“Please have your passport ready.”

As she would respond with the second message Shin saw a small black tomcat step out and presented itself to him. A shadowy aura was encompassing the feline which Shin could only imagine was the fragmented soul of a Yamanaka Mind Possession. A flick of his wrist would cause the papers to flutter to the cat as Shin would charge then with chakra.

“Everything seems to be in order. You may enter”

Once those words would arrive the presence of the shinobi shadow would dissipate from the cat and the four legged beast would scuttle off to who knows where. Opening his palm the paperwork would return to his grasp where he would put them back into his gear. "Come out from the shadows coward.." A woman's voice would seem to come nowhere, but it was clear from Shin's perspective that it was Kohana who had spoke as the persona stepped forward drawing her invisible blade. Despite not being manifested she still had a lot to say and had the patience of a tantruming child. "Forgive her, she rarely understands proper etiquette and manners."

A slight look of embarrassment would take the man's face as his gloved hand came to his face. His middle finger would connect to his forehead. Secret Art: Mind Thread Jutsu.. A pulse of chakra came from his hand and the wandering threads would vanish as he would attempt to create a semi-permanent connection. If the connection was made the two would essentially mind meld and could share anything they desired. Whether that be thoughts alone or memories, emotions, and knowledge that was up to the two ninja here at the gates.

Taking a few steps forward Shin would smile and shift his arms to perform a well practiced bow. "May I have the name of my fellow kinsman?" As the thoughts were sent out Kohana would slowly become visible if the connection was made. In a soldier like swift movement the tall blonde woman would also bow. "Chikamatsu Kohana, at your service." her voice was bitter but subservient to her brother.

 

[Ryu Hime]

The cat did not go far. It was leading him to the gates and every so often it would turn to look at Shin to make sure the shinobi was following him. Words emanated out of the air itself, but Hakuren found it more humorous than insulting. “Cheap words from someone I cannot see my dear.” True the woman was not purposely hiding, she was merely invisible by nature. However Hakuren had no means of knowing that and basically calls her out as a pot calling the kettle black. The man quickly apologies for the woman. "True there are those who consider me a coward, but I have my reason as do her I am sure.”

Shin would then create a link with Hakuren, which she happily accepts. As the connection was made the woman comes into view. This seems to be done by Shin share his sensory input as her pets still shows Hakuren that nothing is there. “What an odd entity.” Memories would flood into his mind; images of a frail blind girl not even strong enough to lift something half her weight. Most of the memories were at the hospital and was viewed but odd perspective, as if they he was looking through the eyes of an animal. “I don’t hide because I am a coward. I don’t show myself outside the gates because I’m no fool.”

To a true shinobi, literally anything can be used as a weapon. There are those who have said that Hakuren was quite the puppeteer, however she doesn’t use something as crude as marionettes of clay or wood. Hakuren uses living puppets, animals, with her sensory link as the strings. The cat transforms into a clone of Hakuren looking just like the girl she showed him in the memories though a couple years older. “I am Taisen Hakuren, Chunin rank.” The cat in Hakuren’s form gives a polite bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

The small cat woukd scuttle towards the gate which was odd to Shin, but it wasn't long until he discovered the reason why. His brow raised as his eyes looked over at his sister, who's face contorted with rage as her jaw clenched. She was mere seconds from hunting down this woman and bringing a pointed reckoning that would shutter her, but alas she did not as she knew Shin would be unhappy with that decision. A flick of her hand would cause her fingers to grace through her golden locks like a teenager trying to brush off an insult from a classmate.

Once the connection was established memories were shared. He received the perspective of a hospital room and a sickly girl but in return he would share his story. A young boy and only child showing prodigal promise in the arts of genjutsu. The specialty in his ninja arts were that of a true Yamanaka, illusory arts and toxic flora being weaponized. A scene of the child at not much older than ten or twelve years of age battling within the keep of the Medical Chief Akujin where a deep and evil soul was awakened. The horrific scenes that would come after was of Kohana savagely attacking the innocent as she was experiencing life for the first time after being trapped inside of Shin for years and how the two discovered their shared time within their mothers womb and how she passed before being born. All of these memories came fast and left the impact of the boy's struggle of trying to develop a humanoid husk through his research of transmutation of organic mass to place his sister's soul inside of so she could live a life of her own.

Pulling back to reality the boy would have a few beads of sweat develop on his temple. "I'm sorry about the over exposure..."<i></i> He rubbed his head to weaken the bond slightly. "...It has been some time since I used my Mind Thread Jutsu with another Yamanaka, it seems our connection is greater than I have with others."<i></i> As he said that he watched the cat transform into the Kunoichi.

"The pleasure is mine..."<i></i> He would say as he would once again boy ever so slightly. "...As I said before my name is Chikamatsu Shin, I am a Mednin with the Omni Prime Medical Complex where I lead in the field of genetics under the direct supervision of Byakko Kyuji. My sister here is named Kohana, she is of Chuunin strength herself."<i></i> As he said this her eyes darted towards him as an unpleasant scowl took her brow. She probably thought she had the strength of the Kages, but Shin knew her strength was equal to his own, at least for the time being. Within the Omni Prime he was treated as a Jounin, but if he were to take a Main Branch Jounin on in one-on-one combat he would most likely lose.

A wisp of blue would engulf the mean-spirited twin as her form vanished from both of their views. She was probably tired of Shin and missed exploring the village. He didn't blame her it has been a few years of just the two of them traveling the countries working on their strengths. Shin would reach towards the sands below him and as he did the ground below his hand would begin to sprout plant life. Small and simple, mainly grasses, a single long stem came up to his hand and a single bud would develop. Plucking it from the results of his Secret Art: Floral Fields Jutsu, the bud would bloom into a dazzling deep magenta orchid. Extending his hand out toward the woman Shin's fingers would let go of the flower as it fluttered it's way to her. Being raised by a puppeteer helped him develop the chakra threads needed to move small items such as flowers and he had actually used this skill for quite some time as a means of attack, but today he was simply giving a friendly companion a sweet smelling flower.

"It has been quite some time since I have been here in my home, perhaps you are do for a break and could escort me to a nice place for food and drinks? It's been too long since I've had the stylizing cuisine of Mother Suna's deserts."<i></i>

 

[Ryu Hime]

As Shin comes out of the gates and into the village the cat transforms back into its normal form. The cat sprints at full speed and leaps into Hakuren’s arms. While Shin saw only a shadowy aura when Hakuren was possessing the cat, Shin could now see Hakuren’s shadow clearly. It was likely different than most considering it was not Human, but a bat. The reasons for this would be a mystery to Shin. Was it do to her deep connection to her pets that it displays itself as a beast? Perhaps it represented how she sees the world indirectly or maybe it was something completely different. That also assumes there is any rhyme or reason shadows look the ways they do to begin with.

Hakuren did not expect to get memories in return, but she was not going to complain. In fact she begins her process of storing the memories for safe keeping. For some reason beyond Hakuren’s understanding, Shin was apologizing for his transference of memory. “Please do not apologize, my dear. I have made a business out of trading memories.” Within the Black Bazaar of the Grand Palais was a small run down looking shack. Where the sign for the establishment would be hanging was instead a potted plant. The flowers that grew within the pot were Forget-me-not. Hakuren found it a fitting name for the store and an interesting way to display a name. One would need a knowledge of flowers to understand. This humble establishment was Hakuren’s shop. It wasn’t much but considering life of a shinobi would often call her away, it seems fitting for a store that opens occasionally. In here she deals with memories both semantic and episodic. Normally she does business through trades, giving memories in exchange for memories. However occasionally she does come across those who dare not offer any of their memories and instead pay in cash.

“That is quite the title you have there. It is unfortunate they I cannot yield to you an equally impressive one.” If she did not present herself as Hakuren she could have given him quite a title within the anbu branch. As Shin specializes in a certain field within the medical branch, Hakuren specializes in a certain field with in the Anbu branch. Hakuren is a spy and when it comes to information gathering she is an expert. With her communion with the beasts, the animals of the land are her informants. “I guess you can refer me as the Librarian. I have a place where I buy, sale and trade memories.”

Hakuren could tell that Kohana did not agree with her assessment. “But strength is hard to gauge when speaking about shinobi. Some would say I am too weak to even be a academy student while others believe I’m on par with a jounin.” Hakuren is physically weak but often foreknowledge of her opponent leads her to victory. “As I tell my mentees ‘to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the height of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is.’"

Shin shows off some of his powers and gives Hakuren a flower, “So you are one of those types of Yamanaka.” She has met some Yamanaka in the past that had strong skills dealing with flowers. Hakuren would usually call them Flora Yamanaka. Hakuren was not a planter and instead deals with animals.

Finally the returning shinobi inquires about food. Hakuren was not really one to going out to eat and most of the time when she does eat out it was normally in the hospital’s cafeteria. She has become quite the regular with her chronic anemia. Something tell her this was not the type of place he would be interested in eating at. Hakuren faces her head upward and if she wasn’t blind one would say she was looking at the sky. After a moment she lowers her head and gives Shin an answer. “Onee-san says she is willing to prepare an extra plate for diner, if you are willing to come.”

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

((OoC: posting via mobile, so I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors. My internet still hasn't been connected for some reason and i want to keep this thread going! I'm sorry for the delay))

"A trader of memories? I will definitely need to come by your place of business when I find myself free of my duties!' The young man said with a candid smile and a friendly pose. Reaching up to scratch the back of hia head he continued. "I mean if you wouldn't mind that is." He worried his child like curiosity would make him seem juvenile, but he truly did not care. Hid hand dropped and landed on the hilt of his blade as he took a few more steps into the village.

"I am a cliché I guess." He chuckled with a rosy flush to his cheeks. "My mother was from the Land of Fire and learned many of the traditional techniques of our clan's unique style of combat." He shifted his free hand to lay his palm flat to the sky. "But then again even the small Chikamatsu Clan of Sunagakure manipulates plant matter." He shrugged and the carried on with their conversation.

As the Librarian extended an invitation to dinner the young blonde would drop his weight and cross his leg back in an elegant and most likely well practiced bow. "I would be Honored."<i></i> He would stand up right once more with a sincere smile upon his face as he walked closer to his fellow Yamanaka. Gesturing openly as if to say lead the way the message would also be sent telepathically, but less as literal words and more of an understanding that he would follow the Librarian where ever she would lead as he was ready to socialize with someone who was not his sister.

MFT:269

 

[Ryu Hime]

“My shop is located in the Black Bazaar. You’ll know it when you see it I assure you.” Hakuren says with a laugh knowing full well how knowledgeable this person would be in the topic of flora. Not many enter her shop knows why it has such a flower hanging from the sign post. “We are a little old fashioned as well. Now how did my father put it? The Yamanaka have been known to possess a higher state of mind, having a clear and sharp mentality one might even call Enlightened.” Hakuren's siblings and as a family of Yamanaka seek enlightenment, however the path to such a goal varies from person to person. Here each sibling took a different path. “Excellent, please follow me.”

[topic left]
[continuation thread]

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Shin nodded at the Librarian as she informed him that her shop was in the Black bazaar. He knew of the area but he was sure it had changed in the pass few years, hopefully for the better. He remembered the time he met the strange man named Fate that laid a curse onto his body in the form of oath bound chains that circled his arms. Though invisible to the naked eye they have become visible a few different times. He once again nodded at her as she asked him to follow. Gladly doing just that the young man would follow the young blind woman as the thought of a good meal mad his mouth water. He missed the cooking style of Suna greatly.

[topic left and continued in the next thread]