Looking to Not Die.

[Michi]

OC: Since there is a possibility that I will not come out of the battle I am in intact, this will have to predate my adoption of Makeinu.

I was Once the Queen


Homes are like havens to the denizens of Sunagakure. The warm little abodes carved into the stone or built by a mason to reach a false and fractured heavens. Shiori was dissonant, her heart wracked with grief and rage. It was a burden to remember all that had come to pass, all that she had lost. There was a time when she was a queen but now she was a pauper, sustained by the graces of those who think they love her. She had not seen Sousuke since he left to combat the maelstrom, a rumor she hears and substantiated by listening to conversations. The storm ended just earlier that day, the cries of the maelstrom comforted her in a twisted way. They told her that whatever filament that remained that tied the Sunahoshi to this desert was in greater pain than she. She hated Primus and Nori, or rather she feared them. Hate was an easier emotion to tell herself, that blame she harbored for being a non-participant in GodsFall and Fuujin and Homura's subsequent demise were in a way her fault. Would she have back then in her prime altered the course of events? She did not know, but she knew alone without her brothers she would not be able to stand against even a watered-down spawn of Primus. The seed of man seemed to carry with it to their progeny traits, skills and even mannerisms that she witnessed persist for generations. Weaker now than most humans, she was far from the state of grace she once enjoyed.

She was content when she did not know. When she thought she was a human. Lucky to have the honor of using the Takahashi name. Lucky to be able to stand near a man as beautiful as Sousuke. Lucky that they did not leave her to die in those caverns all those years ago. She made her own luck. She killed Jinsei and Nagomi, she pulled their strings like a puppeteer in a play. She manipulated her way into the family, forgetting in the process her purpose and her hate for a time within a time.

Then she had to screw up and die.​

Humans do not bleed sand...

Humans do not remember the things she remembered...

Humans should not be able to summon the dead...

Committing her self to such taboos came as second nature. History may have remembered her fondly, but she was not a kind 'matronly' figure. She was far from it. Humanity repulsed her. It was truly a selfish emotion she harbored. One where she was indignant that now that she felt she was Sousuke's equal that she was deserving of a love that she would have denied herself when she was 'only human' with the ego of such. Ancients, herself included had such great hubris, that in and of itself was often their fatal flaw. She would make him love her eventually. He would have no choice in the matter. She was in no state to force her objective as of yet. For now she needed to hone her craft.

It was midday, the streets were relatively quiet. Most people were at work, trying to rebuild their lives or the community at large. Shiori, on the other hand, was hunting. Attempting to hone her skills. While they regained the things they lost, Shiori was doing the same. She needed to hone her skill. Her curse, or as the Sunahoshi remembered it... her blessing. Ironic really. A seal she burned into the flesh of Nori was meant to kill him. It was like a candle that was burned on both ends. It would shine bright and burn hot but it also consumed all that it was after such a short time and supported a fight style that was not in conjunction with the Sunahoshi skill-set. That was of course the point, the kill Sunahoshi Nori by instilling this curse that wracked his body and burned his soul. If he survived, he would be destined to hold the desert at bay, a job that would have been better suited to someone with no other discernible skill besides durability. Rather than realize their potential as a human, they would be duty-bound to protect the first men and their descendants from the raging storms and the dangerous things that thrived there. Eventually the Sunahoshi would burn themselves out, they would die young and live out brutal lives before the curse rotted them out from the inside.

It was a skill she needed to re-master.

That was why she was here, ambling these narrow streets. She was looking for something. Someone who was willing to make a deal. Someone looking for power and someone that nobody would miss if they died.

WC: 790

MFT

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota sat on a nearby wall, waving his legs back and forth in a monotonous fashion, His axe was beside him, leaning against the wall. He huffed slightly as he brushed a bit of hair out of his face, he was both bored, and thinking quite hard about a lot of things. He watched the motion of his legs, swinging back and forth, one after the other, the same pattern over and over again. It was tiring him out, and it took no effort.

Well, I suppose I'm not going to get anything done if I just sit here all day he thought to himself as he hopped down off the wall, stretching and yawning, he clipped his axe onto his back and set off walking, kicking up dust as he went. Maybe should visit home on the way He considered, his thoughts drifting to the small makeshift shelter his parents had left him. He clenched a fist, he wasn't angry, but he was becoming upset again and he was determined not to cry this time. He was determined not to cry ever again.

He continued down the path when he noticed his legs again, even though he was off the wall they were still doing the same monotonous motion as the sand crunched under his feet. He tried to take his mind of it, so he did something he did often when he was trying to cope. He unrolled his sticker roll a few notches and gazed at his favourite sticker. A lot of people don't know what the sun looks like, but I've got some pretty good proof of what it looks like. He studied the sticker, like he had done time and time before. He had never shown the sticker to anyone, he liked it being his, for him to wonder about for hours on end.

That's when it hit him​

Or rather She Hit him​

Or perhaps more accurately, He hit her.​

In his admiration of his favourite sticker, he unfortunately had not been looking forward, or listening. So when he collided with the woman it came as a pretty big surprise, he jumped back and fell onto his rear, clenching his face for the impact of the floor, his stickers rolled themselves in automatically, like they always did. He shook his head to try and recover from the sudden shock of collision. When he stopped the violent shaking the ears on his hood finally settled down and stopped waving with his head. He glanced up at the women. I've got to stop meeting people like this He sighed mentally, he was both excited at what was about to unfold, and terrified.

 

[Michi]

Click... Click... Click...

The sound of stiletto heels tapping against the ground. The sound that most often heralded the woman's presence. Shiori was not a woman of impressive size nor stature, standing shorter than she used to in his particular body. Five foot three perhaps at most, she had not measured this body just yet. Her long crimson tresses left down, the tips brushed against her thighs. The jingle of bangles and the purple bandage dress she wore made her look more like a civilian than a shinobi. In a way, that would be a more accurate statement, she could not remember the last time she had worked as a shinobi. It had to be right before she died, when she 'quit' the Omni Prime and tried to use her indignation to learn something. She failed to learn anything and her life was snuffed out a mere matter of hours later. Her death, utterly forgettable.

Her eyes and her ears scanned Sietch Zensunna. The village was essentially in ruins, although some houses stood still although those homes were likely the targets of looters and displaced citizens that had to strength to push the former residents out. It would have been nice to say that in this time of tragedy the denizens of Sand banded together for a singular cause and tried to rebuild their lives but alas humans are inherently self-serving and greedy. They prioritized themselves, at least most did and often those were the ones with the power to force their stance. [pi]Survival of the fittest[/i] in a way. Lean-tos have been erected by many of the peaceful displaced, boxes and solid refuse to shield them from the outside world. Some used tents, others crates and yet others still large objects such as refrigerators.

She was stopped, or rather was knocked over by a small child. Shiori took a fan-service tumble before pulling herself to her feet. A little boy... He had a smell... That of a vagrant. The clothes of one too. Ironic, he was just what Shiori was looking for. She made her way over to the young man, her long slender shadow loomed over him. Shiori stopped and looked down at him. She was not going to scold him. No... A strange smile was painted on her face. "Little boy... little boy... what would bring you the greatest joy?" Shiori asked lyrically. "I see you alone here on the street, would you mind if a stranger gave you a treat?"<i></i> She exposed her teeth ever so slightly, they were white and all in a row. She leaned over him, pressing her palm against the wall adjacent as she waited for an answer. "Sunagakure is in a terrible state, I can only give new question of your fate."<i></i>

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota stared at the strange woman, visibly confused, most ordinary people would've told him off for not looking where he was going, but this lady was doing almost the opposite. She began spouting rhymes that sounded a little bit unnerving, His parents hadn't been around long enough to teach him about stranger danger. Still he was quite suspicious of the strangers odd attitude towards being sent onto her back by a hard knock.

He was trying to make sense of what she meant A treat? what does she mean by that? Does she have yummy food? He considered the possibility, still she seemed a bit...off. Maybe she hit her head when she fell over. It seemed plausible, and was a good explanation for the weirdness of her reaction.

I'm sorry, Miss um...Lady, but I don't understand what you're talking about. He picked himself up and brushed himself off, and made an attempt to move past the woman, he wasn't quite sure what to think just yet.

 

[Michi]

I'm sorry, Miss um...Lady, but I don't understand what you're talking about.

Shiori smiled a strange smile. It seemed warm for what it might have been worth as she knelt down beside him. "I am simply looking for young children, much like yourself. Free of worry and free of wealth."<i></i> Her hand reached for the young man's cheek. "You see, some gifts are only given to the deserving. Your fortitude and endurance the only things you would be serving."<i></i> Her finger would feel hot and cold at the same time, a diametric of sensations. "I can give you strength, but it comes at a risk... those you hold dear will forever more be left at arm's length."<i></i> She warned, more like a devil making a Faustian deal than a woman making an offer no vagrant could refuse. This boy, like most others had two choice: to accept and risk death and disfigurement or scavenge here on the streets while he slowly withered and died. In a way this curse was an act of benevolence, not that she needed such things to help her sleep at night. Actually she did, but she was if nothing else a liar even to herself.

"This is a shinobi town,"<i></i> Shiori explained gently. "There are only two types who live here - those who rule and those who bow down."<i></i> She shook her head, suggesting he should not be the later and that perhaps she could grant him the former. "Again, a gift to make you strong. I require your consent of course, but what can go wrong?"<i></i>

Shiori was prepared to administer a seal the moment he nodded or spoke in affirmation. There was a terrible price to be paid, there always was. Nothing was ever entirely free. Her curse... or as some have come to regard them blessing came with dire risk. The pain of this corruption, this power unintended kills the unworthy. For those that survive the ravages of the seal, it would forever mar that man, woman or child's flesh for the rest of their days and their children and their children's children would suffer the same consequence. The seal found also on them, some better hidden than others. They too would carry the burden of this power for all of their days, forgetting their intended potential as they took the easy path to power or told themselves enough times that what they have is a 'gift' that must be fully explored and utilized while neglecting their own bloodline limit. Humans, unbound, their potential was truly limitless. The distraction of power easily obtained was a benefit for the ancient as she left the young man with the choice of a lifetime.

 

[Miroku Riyota]

He gasped in slight surprise when she grabbed his cheek and he whirled round to face her slightly scared of what she was intending to do, It seems trying to leave won't be good for my health he thought to himself, he stared her dead in the eye, listening to her semi-cryptic offer. He became interested, which was evident in his face. His thoughts drifted to Suru Suru, he's so strong...do I really need this shortcut to equal him? He was warring with himself over the decsion.

He thought long and hard about it for at least a minute, eventually he came to a conclusion He's been training longer than I have, I suppose this would just be a way to help me catch up. He wasn't entirely convinced, and the little voice inside his head kept telling him This is cheating. How could he drown that voice out, he wondered that right at this moment. This wasn't really a time where he wanted his conscience to speak up.

I don't want to be a life that passes by for nothing, I want to be able to do something.​

I still don't know what your reasons are. He told her, gazing dead into her eye skeptically.

But I guess I'll take your deal​

 

[Michi]

Every shortcut comes at a consequence. The decision often comes easy for most, the most assured and expedient way to reach ones goals is the 'best measure' in the eyes of most. The confusion and thought would eventually turn to regret for this young man. An opportunity he would refuse to let past. Older, wiser and stronger men refused to deny her, what could a child do but submit to her whim.

"I still don't know what your reasons are... But I guess I'll take your deal"

"That was all I needed to hear," Shiori announced as she grabbed the young man by the back of the neck with her hand to hold him in place. Her finger touched the side of his face. The chakra seemed to have an ebb and flow where it would rush in hot and then escape in cool waves. It would hurt, hurt worse than anything else the young man had ever experienced in his entire life. The curse would change him, make him ache down to his bones. The searing pain was nothing compared the the abject terror that was death. It was a primal emotion that defied sense, it happened with that adrenaline surged through your body in response to pain. That fight or flight response telling this body to flee or to strike out, Shiori tightened her grip on the unfortunate child as she whispered tenderly. "Try not to die now..."</B><i></i> Her palm was glowing brightly, a verdant healing aura emanated from her hand as she pressed it against the young child's chest. She would not respond to the child's thrashing, pleas or cries as she waited for the change to take place.

Birth was a traumatic and difficult process. By the end of it he would be new.

<B>You have gained a cursed seal of your choice. I have every one of them so take whatever one you want and place it in your training and dojo for the sake of papertrails.​

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Her touch was as if hell itself was entering his body.​

Riyota wasn't prepared for what came next, he assumed there would be preparation, heck, he hadn't even known what she was offering him, he still didn't in fact. The impact of her hand on his bare flesh sent a burning sensation throughout his entire chakra network. The pain was too intense, he couldn't even take in enough air to scream in agony as he felt as if he was being eviscerated by an invisible blade. Tears streamed from his eyes, slowly trickling down his face...He certainly wasn't prepared for this, whatever it was.

The process hadn't taken long, but for him it had seemed like two eternities. Finally she pulled her hand away from him and he fell to the ground, everything he had, had been exhausted.

"Am I dead?"​

That was the last thing he said before he blacked out.

[Gaia Seal Placed]

 

[Michi]

The boy made a terrible sound trying to not die. Shiori held onto the young boy tightly, holding him in place so he could not flee. The curse would not be broken, left incomplete. As the essence of her 'gift' filled the young boy, the screaming stopped. Likely soaked in sweat and tears, Shiori felt the regret any woman would seeing a child in pain. She glowered as she considered the fact that she could have done this to a full-grown man and even to this child if she waited a few years time.

"Am I dead?"​

The boy asked weakly before he passed out in her arms. Shiori pulled the child to her breast and clutched him tightly. "No, you had potential after all boy. A potential discarded that you will never know, but I know because you lived."</B><i></i> She stole this young man's future and gave him a new one, he might thank her for it not knowing what he lost. She lifted the young child up, capable of scooping him in her long arms she carried him off. Some place safe. Some place warm. He would survive, that much was already assured.

<B>[Topic Left, Shiori Carried the Boy to the Academy and Dropped him Off]​

She left a note on the child.

Take care of this boy, he has been through a great ordeal. With care and training he will be an exceptional shinobi one day.

There was no signature. No discerning mark or even term left. Shiori walked away, her fingers numb also from exertion. She wondered if she still could give away the power of the diamond sands...

 

[Miroku Riyota]

[Topic Left​