A vivid afternoon sun burned down onto the arid sands below attempting to cook the trio traveling through. The heat was already escalating far beyond the morning’s normal build, which wasn’t anything truly unusual for the Wind Country, but Michino was noticing it occurring more often than normal. Even outside of the Godsfall where weather was but demonic whim, the temperatures were starting to become odd. It was just but proof to him that the country still wasn’t back to its normal ranges of ‘safe’ yet, and so while the trio traveling from the far north could have made a straight shot for Suna, Michino insisted otherwise. The extra length added onto their journey in the travel towards the enormous walls proved more useful than either of the women in tow were originally willing to admit. At least, until the Toraono helped them skirt around two rouge packs of Unbent. Neither of the females seemed to be phased by their presence in back in weird land, but to see them in the open desert gave them some pause.
The extra steps to their trip ended up extending their journey to the walls by another four hours. It was now two past noon and the blazing orange in the sky pushed down hard upon their necks.
For the most part, Okibi appeared to be used to it. The moment the heat reached a certain apex, she threw up the hood of her clothing and pressed Otami to do the same. Michino, who had survived the Inferno, was not quite uncomfortable just yet. Fortunately, the goal was just in sight, and he doubted it would become any hotter before they reach it.
About another ten kilometers away stood the imposing walls of Sunagakure. Okibi was giving off a deep scent of anxiety as they continued through the heat, causing Michino to worry a little. The solider leading them couldn’t blame her either. For the last near two decades she had lived away from all of this. The ex-soldier had missed the village’s victory over the Cabal, the rise of Suna from underneath the desert, the World Martial Art Tournament that left their mark on the world, and the attacks of the Diyamo. Everything her father had sacrificed in her absence, she began to grieve, would it had been less if she had just stayed? She also felt like so much a hypocrite to have abandoned one child to Suna, only to be bringing a second for a cure only they could have, and to have to face not only this son but Sousuke as well. The thought of meeting Tama again didn’t even concern her compared to reuniting with people she had walked away from in their time of need compared to someone Okibi thought she had murdered.
Seven kilometers to go. The mother’s heart began to race as the glimmering steel walls began to rise ever higher into the sky, and finally the panic attack erupted through her body. Michino sensed a change in the air, and turned to see Okibi fall to the ground, her hands clutching tight to her chest. Tears were freely streaking down her cheeks, dripping down into the thirsty sands as her pink irises shook in absolute terror. How could she dare to face everyone now? She had nothing to show, nothing to give back, just an old body too weak for combat and a daughter she’d sooner kill than see turned over to the military complex. Her heart began to pound so hard and fast she swear it felt like it was banging against her sternum. Bile erupted from her mouth. Both Michino and Otami reached out to touch the mentally strained female, and the moment the soldier’s hand grazed her skin, he instantly knew that a Genjutsu was being used. His second hand quickly shot up in a single hand seal used to pulse out a simple painful shot of his chakra from the hand still touching Okibi’s back. It was a simple technique taught in the Academy to help combat illusions by disrupting the flow of chakra, as most Genjutsu relied on a circulation of the foreign chakra through an opponent’s body. The connection was interrupted for the mother, but not for Otami who had been caught up in the illusion before removing her hand.
What the teenager was seeing, the two adults could only guess, but the reaction gave way to theory that it wasn’t at all pleasant. For the first time since meeting Otami, the swordsman heard the girl unleash a scream that caused his left eardrum to immediately burst, nearly following the right before his hand shot up to cover it. Okibi was already covering her head and tucked into the fetal position when the seal beneath her daughter’s clothing began to exude a bright golden light.
Michino, for all that he had seen and lived through, and for all his training, still didn’t see the rocks lift and throw him until he was already in the air. His respective limbs exploded into a purple flame as he pushed, with everything he had, bounce between the stones and grab Okibi who had been thrown into the air too. His flesh arm held the woman’s frail body close as he maneuvered through the chunks of land that were flying around. The pulsing waves of whatever was giving Otami power was being unleashed to its full extent. Through the spiking pillars of stone and boulders that flew around, the swordsman watched as the girl began to undergo a transformation, and also saw a nearby group of very dead bandits whom Michino assumed had cast the Genjutsu in the first place. A bit of weight lifted off his shoulders, knowing at least the enemy who started the fight was dealt with already, now all he had to do was subdue an overpowered teenager.
However, about two minutes of trying and nearly killing either Okibi, himself, or both, the Toraono realized that there was no way he could reach her while also trying to defend her mother. Another pulse of power waved over the sands and Michino also began to worry what such a display of strength would begin to attract. Would Suna reach them first and hopefully subdue Otami without violence, or would a larger enemy notice them? Aside from just the Unbent there was also still sand worms and only the Kami knew what kind of powerful bandit lords who would want this strength for themselves. The swordsman’s fire soaked blade shot into his right palm as he cut a large chunk of sand and earth in twain. The golden aura was starting to fully overtake the girl. His mind raced in an attempt to do anything.
Then, with a single blink, the pair trying to survive the overwhelming erratic power both watched a young man appear behind Otami. His hair was silver, wild, and a crisp lab coat covered the three piece suit beneath. The stranger’s red tie was flapping against his neck as he stood next to the powerful waves of titanic energy with the same ease one would read a book. He raised his hands above his head, gripped them into fists, and inhaled. Otami whipped around and sent a fist flying at the man’s head, striking no where near close enough as stone fists began rise up and fly from the ground around her to crush the mystery man. They all closed in with speeds that were impossible for even Michino to keep up with, yet the well dressed man was somehow already behind Otami, bent forward slightly. He unleashed the breath he had inhaled and behind it came a powerful wind with the exact same kind of energy the teenager was exuding; only controlled.
Otami was sent flying, and immediately the powerful waves of golden energy raised out into an uncontrolled explosion. The dapper man flipped through more handseals than the Toraono thought possible to use in the two seconds he stood there as the rolling wave of earth and sand threatened to engulf both himself and the duo. Then he vanished, appeared again behind them without either realizing it, and suddenly both Okibi and Michino were about a whole kilometer away from the dirt tsunami. Flicking his wrist above him and tugging down, the teenager fell from the sky, but descended slowly as she neared the ground; over the last four feet or so she simply dropped.
“Oi there now Michino, do tell what the cat dragged in this time. Who’re the two girls?”
“Missing from the battlefield for over a week and that’s how you greet me? Why don’t you ask them who they are, I’m sure one of them will happily tell you.”
The heterochromia gave away his identity before either Michino or Okibi could say his name. The first person the wayward soul was forced to meet was her old flame. Her pink irises rose up from the ground as she stood, removing the hood as she did so, and rightfully, the scientist in all his new found youth stood there stunned. His eyes began to brim in tears as he took a hesitant step forward, as if it was possibly all an illusion. His left hand reached out as he began to whisper her name…only to have it suddenly cut off about half way when her right fist collided with his jaw. The force she had exerted behind the blow was the same she had struck Michino’s ribcage with, and indeed he winced at the sight. Yet the Toraono was sure that the scientist would pull some crazy trick out of his ass to dodge the blow, or soften it, or…something. Yet instead they all heard Tama jaw break, his body lift off the ground from the force of her punch, and his body hitting the desert sand with a dull thud. His brother’s jaw hung unhinged, and Otami stared on with a very smug look as she sorted out her twisted clothing from being launched into the sky.
Once the solider regained his composure, he looked around, and realized that somehow Tama had instantly moved them near the gates. The majestic metallic walls towered over them. Already he could hear the shinobi and wall guards beginning to move in towards them after seeing such a display of power near their home.
He wondered who would arrive first?
The extra steps to their trip ended up extending their journey to the walls by another four hours. It was now two past noon and the blazing orange in the sky pushed down hard upon their necks.
For the most part, Okibi appeared to be used to it. The moment the heat reached a certain apex, she threw up the hood of her clothing and pressed Otami to do the same. Michino, who had survived the Inferno, was not quite uncomfortable just yet. Fortunately, the goal was just in sight, and he doubted it would become any hotter before they reach it.
About another ten kilometers away stood the imposing walls of Sunagakure. Okibi was giving off a deep scent of anxiety as they continued through the heat, causing Michino to worry a little. The solider leading them couldn’t blame her either. For the last near two decades she had lived away from all of this. The ex-soldier had missed the village’s victory over the Cabal, the rise of Suna from underneath the desert, the World Martial Art Tournament that left their mark on the world, and the attacks of the Diyamo. Everything her father had sacrificed in her absence, she began to grieve, would it had been less if she had just stayed? She also felt like so much a hypocrite to have abandoned one child to Suna, only to be bringing a second for a cure only they could have, and to have to face not only this son but Sousuke as well. The thought of meeting Tama again didn’t even concern her compared to reuniting with people she had walked away from in their time of need compared to someone Okibi thought she had murdered.
Seven kilometers to go. The mother’s heart began to race as the glimmering steel walls began to rise ever higher into the sky, and finally the panic attack erupted through her body. Michino sensed a change in the air, and turned to see Okibi fall to the ground, her hands clutching tight to her chest. Tears were freely streaking down her cheeks, dripping down into the thirsty sands as her pink irises shook in absolute terror. How could she dare to face everyone now? She had nothing to show, nothing to give back, just an old body too weak for combat and a daughter she’d sooner kill than see turned over to the military complex. Her heart began to pound so hard and fast she swear it felt like it was banging against her sternum. Bile erupted from her mouth. Both Michino and Otami reached out to touch the mentally strained female, and the moment the soldier’s hand grazed her skin, he instantly knew that a Genjutsu was being used. His second hand quickly shot up in a single hand seal used to pulse out a simple painful shot of his chakra from the hand still touching Okibi’s back. It was a simple technique taught in the Academy to help combat illusions by disrupting the flow of chakra, as most Genjutsu relied on a circulation of the foreign chakra through an opponent’s body. The connection was interrupted for the mother, but not for Otami who had been caught up in the illusion before removing her hand.
What the teenager was seeing, the two adults could only guess, but the reaction gave way to theory that it wasn’t at all pleasant. For the first time since meeting Otami, the swordsman heard the girl unleash a scream that caused his left eardrum to immediately burst, nearly following the right before his hand shot up to cover it. Okibi was already covering her head and tucked into the fetal position when the seal beneath her daughter’s clothing began to exude a bright golden light.
Michino, for all that he had seen and lived through, and for all his training, still didn’t see the rocks lift and throw him until he was already in the air. His respective limbs exploded into a purple flame as he pushed, with everything he had, bounce between the stones and grab Okibi who had been thrown into the air too. His flesh arm held the woman’s frail body close as he maneuvered through the chunks of land that were flying around. The pulsing waves of whatever was giving Otami power was being unleashed to its full extent. Through the spiking pillars of stone and boulders that flew around, the swordsman watched as the girl began to undergo a transformation, and also saw a nearby group of very dead bandits whom Michino assumed had cast the Genjutsu in the first place. A bit of weight lifted off his shoulders, knowing at least the enemy who started the fight was dealt with already, now all he had to do was subdue an overpowered teenager.
However, about two minutes of trying and nearly killing either Okibi, himself, or both, the Toraono realized that there was no way he could reach her while also trying to defend her mother. Another pulse of power waved over the sands and Michino also began to worry what such a display of strength would begin to attract. Would Suna reach them first and hopefully subdue Otami without violence, or would a larger enemy notice them? Aside from just the Unbent there was also still sand worms and only the Kami knew what kind of powerful bandit lords who would want this strength for themselves. The swordsman’s fire soaked blade shot into his right palm as he cut a large chunk of sand and earth in twain. The golden aura was starting to fully overtake the girl. His mind raced in an attempt to do anything.
Then, with a single blink, the pair trying to survive the overwhelming erratic power both watched a young man appear behind Otami. His hair was silver, wild, and a crisp lab coat covered the three piece suit beneath. The stranger’s red tie was flapping against his neck as he stood next to the powerful waves of titanic energy with the same ease one would read a book. He raised his hands above his head, gripped them into fists, and inhaled. Otami whipped around and sent a fist flying at the man’s head, striking no where near close enough as stone fists began rise up and fly from the ground around her to crush the mystery man. They all closed in with speeds that were impossible for even Michino to keep up with, yet the well dressed man was somehow already behind Otami, bent forward slightly. He unleashed the breath he had inhaled and behind it came a powerful wind with the exact same kind of energy the teenager was exuding; only controlled.
Otami was sent flying, and immediately the powerful waves of golden energy raised out into an uncontrolled explosion. The dapper man flipped through more handseals than the Toraono thought possible to use in the two seconds he stood there as the rolling wave of earth and sand threatened to engulf both himself and the duo. Then he vanished, appeared again behind them without either realizing it, and suddenly both Okibi and Michino were about a whole kilometer away from the dirt tsunami. Flicking his wrist above him and tugging down, the teenager fell from the sky, but descended slowly as she neared the ground; over the last four feet or so she simply dropped.
“Oi there now Michino, do tell what the cat dragged in this time. Who’re the two girls?”
“Missing from the battlefield for over a week and that’s how you greet me? Why don’t you ask them who they are, I’m sure one of them will happily tell you.”
The heterochromia gave away his identity before either Michino or Okibi could say his name. The first person the wayward soul was forced to meet was her old flame. Her pink irises rose up from the ground as she stood, removing the hood as she did so, and rightfully, the scientist in all his new found youth stood there stunned. His eyes began to brim in tears as he took a hesitant step forward, as if it was possibly all an illusion. His left hand reached out as he began to whisper her name…only to have it suddenly cut off about half way when her right fist collided with his jaw. The force she had exerted behind the blow was the same she had struck Michino’s ribcage with, and indeed he winced at the sight. Yet the Toraono was sure that the scientist would pull some crazy trick out of his ass to dodge the blow, or soften it, or…something. Yet instead they all heard Tama jaw break, his body lift off the ground from the force of her punch, and his body hitting the desert sand with a dull thud. His brother’s jaw hung unhinged, and Otami stared on with a very smug look as she sorted out her twisted clothing from being launched into the sky.
Once the solider regained his composure, he looked around, and realized that somehow Tama had instantly moved them near the gates. The majestic metallic walls towered over them. Already he could hear the shinobi and wall guards beginning to move in towards them after seeing such a display of power near their home.
He wondered who would arrive first?
