Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass.......

[Akihiko]

Akihiko looked out of the door. He hadn't been out since.... Since..... Since he'd transformed. And he'd finished his transformation just yesterday. Some would tell him to stay on the bed for a week, rest up, gather his strength..... But he felt fine. He felt better than fine. He felt free. He hadn't felt it before, hadn't... Realized he'd been trapped in his own body for eight straight years.

But now, after those excruciating four days..... He felt relieved. He felt as if he could fly. Akihiko felt liked he could do anything. And maybe he could - he hadn't tried, not yet. First, he had to stretch his new wings. He had to feel the air on his youthful skin, after such a long time on that bed. He needed to establish himself as a full-grown Hachiashi, and he needed people to see how powerful his blood was.

Was he going to flaunt it?

Damn skippy.

He was going to walk around today with barely a shirt on, and he was going to keep all six arms on full display. Hell, he'd maybe even make a few fun things with his webbing, now that he'd gotten control of it. He closed the door, heading back inside for only a tiny bit. He walked rather quickly to his room, throwing on a pair of socks and then his shoes, then going through his drawer. He'd need new clothes..... They were too small for him, now, and the sleeves weren't wide enough for three arms each. He rummaged through his things until he found something that'd suffice for today - rather short cargo pants that looked like regular shorts on him and a no-sleeved shirt that had always been too big but fit fine now.

Then he was out the door, making his way downtown. He was walking quite fast, and so many faces passed. And he felt and loved every look.

[MFT WC: 319]

 

[Ginyama Senshiro]

Meanwhile in another part of Kumogakure, a simple boy by the name of Takayama Hinote hoisted himself out of his bed and attached the prosthetic legs to where his knees should have been, much like he had done so for quite some time now. Although he had grown somewhat accustomed to the artificial limbs, he still could not accept the fact that his current condition could last indefinitely.With each passing day his bitter resentment towards his flawed body grew as well as towards others who were more favored by change than he was.

And, as fate would have it, he encountered one such person on his way to the market: a six-armed hulking behemoth of a student with a ball of hair engulfing his head. Not realizing his intent at first, Hinote stepped back and stared at the Hachiashi with wide eyes, not sure whether he was a remnant from the Demon Wars or just a bizarre anomaly who didn't quite fit in with all the other bizarre anomalies among the shinobi.

But then he recalled seeing a similar hair-style at the Hot Springs not too long ago and realized this particular boy must have undergone some kind of transformation that he was enjoying far too much.

"You!" he shouted out to Akihiko as he marched towards him, the familiar sound of wood hitting stone echoing through the air. "You're the one of the brats from the Hot Springs!"

He was now glaring up at the boy, who admittedly was much taller than he had remembered his silhouette.

"Who do you think you are!?"

[MFT: 262]

 

[Ogami Itto]

The smaller, younger child felt a hand on his shoulder, before he was gently guided behind a veritable giant of a youth, with flaming hair and sharp features. “You’re going to want to calm down,” He said, “Unless you feel like picking a fight with someone a lot older, and a lot bigger than you?” He tactfully avoided adding that he was a lot more handy in a fight, given his recent… Additions.

Makoto looked up towards the almost, but not quite, familiar frame of Akihiko, “Aki,you have decidedly more limbs than last we met. How’d this come to pass? And why on earth is this young one seeking to draw you into an altercation, that would no doubt end in bloodshed?” He asked, looking back down at the younger child, tightening his grip while keeping his body acting as a barrier between the two.

Acting like a true Rengō now. He thought to himself, after all, his people were keepers of the peace, law enforcers. If he was to see them restored, he would have to start following their most glorious example, starting with this little conflict.

 

[Airiko Yuzuki]

It wasn’t raining third day in a row, which was kind of surprising for Kumo. Although, such good weather was good opportunity to run laps around village, Yuzuki was doing something else… To be more exact she was running around the streets looking for a god damn Hell Cat. The cat was simply living with her all week without any tricks and today the black bastard decided to run away. It simply jumped out of the kitchen window and Yuzuki had no choice as run after that cat. After good two hours of chasing and looking everywhere she finally found the black cat simply lying on the sidewalk staring across the street.

''Got you~'' She says happily as she pickups the cat which actually wasn’t struggling and simply continued to stare. Yuzuki of course looks across the street where the Hell Cat was looking. First thing she notices it was red hair which looked really familiar…Rengo-dono! The fellow HellCat Brigadier was there with two more boys. One boy looked quite familiar but not too much and third one was…Akihiko? With six arms?! She was pretty sure that the last time she saw Aki-kun in Hot Springs, he was butt naked and didn’t have six limbs. The young blonde quickly makes her way to their side of the street and was about to ask what is wrong with the young boy when she felts that atmosphere between all three of them was pretty weird here.

''Yooo!'' Yuzuki greets them and stares for few moments at Aki’s arms. The young girl never had seen something like that and she founded those arms amazing and weird in the same time. ''Umh, Aki-kun, I see you have some extra limbs there. How did that happen?'' She asks while still keeping smile on her face. Maybe if she asks a lot of questions about shorter boy’s look the unpleasant vibe will go away from here and all four of them will simply chat away? The chances of that to happen were pretty low, but Yuzuki wanted to believe that everything is going to be fine.


(MFT. WC: 351)

 

[Akihiko]

Akihko's head cocked to the side as he noticed a random boy staring. The look was.... Hostile, as if Akihiko had done something to this child (who looked a bit older than himself), but Aki was quite sure he'd done nothing. He mentally shrugged, aiming to move on and go on about his day when the other boy spoke.

"You! You're the one of the brats from the Hot Springs!" Aki's top-left hand moved up to his hair, running through the afro in confusion. He had been down at the Hot Springs.... Awhile ago. It was fun, he supposed. Though, he didn't quite remember this boy. Then again, Akihiko didn't remember people who were irrelevant in his life. This new boy glared up at Akihiko..... This height was going to take some time getting used to.

"Who do you think you are!?" ........ What? Akihko's brow furrowed, glaring at the smaller boy with his signature scowl-and-frown combo. "Yamazaki Akihiko. Is there a problem with that?" He wasn't sure what this boy's problem was, Akihko had merely been going about his day, possibly going to buy some food. That's when a familiar face, Makoto, came upon them. “You’re going to want to calm down,” He said, “Unless you feel like picking a fight with someone a lot older, and a lot bigger than you?" Akihiko's head cocked sideways, thinking about that statement for a second. "Makoto, I am still only eight." He shrugged all of his arms, which looked a bit queer; all six of his shoulders made it seem like his body rippled like water.

He crossed each of his arms, looking towards the unknown boy before Makoto spoke again. "Aki,you have decidedly more limbs than last we met. How’d this come to pass? And why on earth is this young one seeking to draw you into an altercation, that would no doubt end in bloodshed?" "I am not quite sure who this boy is; he seems to remember me from the Hot Springs, but.... He shrugged, and was ready to answer Makoto's first question when he heard a familiar voice. Yuzuki. ''Yooo! Umh, Aki-kun, I see you have some extra limbs there. How did that happen?"

Akihiko shrugged. "Hachiashi blood pounds through my veins..... All children who posses such blood eventually grow six arms." He held up his hands, and excreted a bit of webbing; it formed a throwing spike, which he threw at a tree and watch it impale a leaf. "And are able to create their own webbing." He shrugged. "We're like spiders, no?"

 

[Ginyama Senshiro]

Hinote glanced down at the hand that was laid upon his shoulder for a moment before brushing it off nonchalantly.

"I have no idea who you are," he admitted to the red-hair student, "but I suggest keeping your hands to yourself." He refrained from adding, "or you may just lose them." After all, it was all too true when he had assaulted a Yakuza goon and lost his legs in return.

He turned his head when another familiar figure from the co-ed hot springs approached, shook his head and sighed. "Great ... probably going to be on this guy's side as well."

Then the boy--Akihiko apparently--revealed that he was a Hachihashi and demonstrated some of his skills by throwing a spike of webbing at a nearby tree.

"Look, I don't care what your name is," he confessed as he returned his attention to the hulking six-armed boy. "I don't care that you're a Hachiashi or whatever."

"What I do care about," he paused for emphasis, "is the massive ego trip you seem to be on."

((OOC: Nothing personal ... more or less just developing Hinote's character as a bitter nobody ))

 

[Ogami Itto]

Makoto made a mental note to ask about Aki's age later on, but for now he had more pressing issues.

“And if you want to settle that issue, you’re going to have to solve it peacefully, or when I can’t see either of you, for I will not allow either of you to battle in the streets like feral animals. I don’t know what he did to do you harm, and I am aware that he is likely in the wrong, but there are ways men are supposed to settle their disputes, and this is not one of them.” Makoto said, stooping down to meet eyes with the far shorter child. “Go home, think on if whatever grievances you have are truly worth resorting to violence, and if you cannot reconcile with him, then I would insist that you simply avoid him. Otherwise you are free to seek a more visceral retribution, but know that violence will breed violence, and this will be the only time I try and broker peace between you and any would be attackers.”

Standing up again he continued to keep himself between the two, before calling out, “Akihiko! Are these terms satisfactory to you? You two will both depart, peacefully I would add, and convene at a later date in a controlled environment. If there will be no peace between you two, then at least there will be no wanton violence.” Looking between the two, he finally added, “Alternatively, you could put aside your petty grievances here and now. Akihiko, acknowledge your fault,” he pointed towards the nameless child, “And you will let go of your spite here and now.”

There was a tension in the air now, as he waited for what the two would say. His face was impassive as ever, all the while he was planning out how to force them apart should they make a move for one another.

 

[Airiko Yuzuki]

Yuzuki walks around three boys merely to check how Bushy-hair boy looks like now. ‘’Wow! Aki-kun, your arms pretty awesome~! Also, your hair now isn’t the weirdest thing on your body!’’ She jokes and chuckles and her own joke. While the unknown boy talked the blonde raised eyebrow and kept smile on her face.

''Yo, friend, it seems that your ego is much on top.' Calm down.'' She comments while still keeping smile on her face and pats kids head.
Oh, tension in the air smelled like excitement and a good fight. Of course, Akihiko was chill like always and didn’t look like he really cares while that Makoto was being all like responsible adult and didn’t want those two boys to fight. If the fight would actually happen she would join in a little fight... Yuzuki shakes her head. Makoto was right, fighting was useless and she decides it would be best to keep peace side. Also, there were a lot of little kids in the street now and it would be awful role modeling to them see same village ninjas to fight.

''I agree with Rengo-dono, you two shouldn’t fight… It would be waste of time! Let’s all get ice cream or go training~! There is no need to be angry on each other!'' Young kunoichi exclaims in chirpy voice while trying to hug all three of them before anything more happened.

 

[Akihiko]

"Look, I don't care what your name is," the boy stated. "I don't care that you're a Hachiashi or whatever. What I do care about," the pause, "is the massive ego trip you seem to be on."

Ego trip? Ego trip? EGO TRIP?<i></i> (Yes, it was so absurd to Akihiko he had to repeat it thrice in his head.) Since when was walking around the village a damn ego trip? Akihiko's scowl deepened even further, venturing into realms previously untouched. He didn't know what this kid's problem was, but it was pissing Akihiko off. The younger boy just glared at the older, smaller one. If this one wanted a fight, he could very well have one.

The six-armed child just stood and stared while Makoto spoke his rather long piece. It was well thought-out, especially being on the fly, but one part bothered and stuck in Akihiko's mind throughout. "I don’t know what he did to do you harm, and I am aware that he is likely in the wrong........." Since when the hell was walking down the street, proud of one's blood and putting it out on display being in the wrong? But Akihiko said nothing, just waited until Makoto - and then Yuzuki - finished speaking.

"I have no fault to acknowledge. Unless you call departing from home to enjoy the fresh air after four days of pain a fault," he replied, rather coldly. "Not one of you have experienced the pain that I went through those four days, so it is not me with the problem." He motioned to the unknown boy with a jerk of his chin. "It is that one that needs to acknowledge a fault."

 

[Ogami Itto]

Makoto gently but firmly pushed young Airiko away, before looking up to Akihiko again.

He thinks he knows pain? Makoto quietly went other the long list of injuries he injured after washing up in Keikyoku: Avulsion to the left heel and right calf, compound fracture on the right arm, hyphema, hypothermia, countless other small fractures, lascerations, and sores. Now that’s the sort of thing that hurts.

“Pain proves nothing, even then that’s not the issue.” He chastised.

“You’re being remarkably dense Aki, he mentioned something about the Hot Springs, this child clearly has grievances from a prior incident. Let us not pretend that you can’t be… Clumsy… when talking to your peers, chances are you committed some manner of faux pas there. This isn’t about your lineage, or your pride in it. This is simply him taking offence to something you did at the Springs. Right?” He looked back down to the younger boy, hoping he’d confirm it.

 

[Ginyama Senshiro]

Hinote shook his head, annoyed by the wild speculation as to why he was so hostile. In truth even he didn't know: perhaps he was merely jealous of the fruits of Akihiko's supposed suffering were more succulent than his own.

But he wasn't about to admit that even if that were true.

"I have no grievances against him or the others regarding the noise at the hot spings," he clarified. "Again, my issue lies with him parading around like he earned the right have six arms and shoot webs."

"Let me tell you something: you got lucky. That pain you endured for four days? Try having your knee caps shot off by a rifle and having to undergo intensive care just to get these." He rolled up one of his pant legs, revealing the wooden prosthetic limb attached to what flesh and bone remained of his leg.

"I have nothing to show for my suffering. Be grateful you do."

 

[Ogami Itto]

“That, that I cannot condone nor sympathise with. I would not have him forced to hide his heritage, nor be forced to live in shame. You may not like it, but it is his right to express himself, within the realms of decency of course.” Makoto said, crossing his arms, “You are in the wrong here, it would be best for all of us if you left peacefully.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Now.”

 

[Airiko Yuzuki]

Yuzuki simply watched boys to take all things in their hands, her hug and her words were kind of ignored. But it’s always like that with those males. The blonde girl sighs and stands their quietly while black cat sits on her shoulder watching them curiously. When boy revealed his prosthetic legs her expression didn’t change, she kept the simple smile. Although, she did feel bad for him maybe pity for him. He seemed much stronger than her as he had survived something nasty and Yuzuki always was kind of happy child.

''But you know…'' She looks at the unknown boy''…There is no need to make your jealousy anger and express your anger on people that you know'' Yuzuki makes a little comment and pats boy’s head.

The atmosphere was getting annoying, there was literally no reason to fight about. If this won’t stop she always could zap them with electric jutsu. Yuzuki turns her head at Makoto and puts a hand on his shoulder. Also, she tried to give him a ‘mom’ look that Ioalanta always does when Yuzuki is acting childlike.
''Hey, there is no need for such tone. He just wanted to say that Aki-kun was luckier than him. That’s all.''

 

[Amari Yasushi]

sorry

 

[Akihiko]

Akihiko's head cocked slightly. So this was all a bit of jealousy. Funny what such things could do to people, seeing another gaining while they themselves lost. It wasn't anyone's fault - fate or luck or destiny, whatever you call it, just has a funny way of doing things.

"I am with Makoto. Anger is one of the more useless emotions." He nodded to the boy, his scowl lightening up a little. "You did not think of your actions before you executed them. I advise you, alongside Makoto, to leave." He nodded once, briskly, crossed arms tightening. Akihiko's eyebrow raised as he felt Iolanta push past him. Funny how so many showed up on a random day. He watched as she stood between them all, glaring. He waited for a moment, before his uncrossed his middle arms.

He tapped Iolanta on the shoulder with his mid-left hand. "He was just leaving, Iolanta."

 

[Ginyama Senshiro]

"Four . . . that makes four now," he silently included another vaguely familiar newcomer to Akihiko's support roster, who all seemed intent on having Hinote leave, regardless if he wanted to or not.

And while they all had valid points that might have persuaded him to leave voluntarily, he wasn't about to be bossed around by a group of his own peers.

"What makes you think I'm going anywhere just because you say so!?" he demanded an answer from the boy, the Outrage that plagued him and other descendants of the Sentama clan flaring up in the form of a faintly visible aura. His anger towards this perceived slight had reached its threshold as he felt the rush of chakra pounding at each of the eight gates inside of him.

He clenched his fists, ready to lash out at anyone and everyone who dared to stand between him and Akihiko, but then a tightening in his chest dissipated all of his anger for moment, replacing it with panic as he clutched his heart and took a knee. Taking a few deep breaths before he stood up, Hinote reevaluated the situation he found himself in.

"Very well," he conceded as he walked past Akihiko. "I'll leave."

[Topic Left unless Stopped]

 

[Ogami Itto]

“That could have gone worse.” Makoto noted dryly. There was a small clater as a large lump of masonry dropped from his hand onto the floor, he had pried it loose not long after Iolanta’s arrival. “I was hoping to avoid bloodshed today, glad to see he could see reason.”