Reaching Out [Tutor]

[Kiri]

It was cold and all he could feel was the dropping water that touched his skin every now and then. He curled while his eyes remained closed. He pressed against the cold floor for there was nowhere else to hide into. Sometimes, even the dirt would have been better, but not the frigid stones. He was still healing, scars fresh on his back, and arms and legs, but it didn’t matter. He gritted his teeth as he let the flame keep him alive from within.

It was a harsh way to force him to train his chakra control, but there was nothing harsh about it when he wasn’t even treated as human. Sometimes, he wished he was too tired from the training so he could just sleep everything off, fall into that deep black nothingness and just wake the next day when the sun rises how above the grilled ceiling. But not tonight. The rain came and left every so often he cursed the heavens. Can’t it make up its mind if it wanted a downpour or not?

With hands crossed, breathing heavily yet with a steady rhythm, he remained asleep next to his babysitter. All the while, the dream was his least favorite of them all – the memory of his training days. It made him snuggle closer, pressing his head to other’s body, and hand reached for Hira’s own, and gripped it tightly that his nails bit onto skin. If he could growl, maybe he did. He wasn’t sure. But for now, even if the night was seemingly quiet and peaceful, he was anything but that.

[WC: 267]
[Post: 1/5]

 

[Hirateuchi]

A drop of water fell precariously on Hira's head, no doubt condensation forming from both the rain outside and the bars of ice he had formed in order to keep them safe throughout the night. The boy had been resting for just a moment when he felt Uri lean in closer, no doubt looking for comfort of some kind in his rest, be it the warmth of temperature or friendship. Looking outside the alcove they were rested in Hira could see that it was still somewhat dark out, thought not as much as when they had first entered. If he were to guess it must have been early morning, soon before the sun was to rise, and though he wanted nothing better than to leave this stone prison to go sleep on a nice warm bed, there was still the matter of the mission him and Uri had been sent on. He glanced over to his companion with a slight sigh at the realization, wondering whether or not to wake the shinobi.

It was then that Hira felt the nails of Uri's fingers digging into his own hand, a harsh reminder that there was still work to be done, regardless of how either of them felt about getting up. With a slight wince at the pain followed by a sigh, Hira reached over with his free hand to nudge Uri's shoulder, making sure to push hard enough to wake him from what seemed like a deep slumber.

"Hey Uri, it's time to get up man. We still have to finish up here so we can get out of this damned forest."

He looked down at his chest where he had taken a blow the night before, to see that it was still prevalent, though at least the effort he had put into healing it had shown some amount of progress. It still burned but that would have to be a problem for later.

All of this because I couldn't keep my dumb mouth shut that night... hira chuckled to himself with that thought as he looked up towards the stone roof, waiting for his teammate to awaken.

[Post 1/5, WC 357]

 

[Kiri]

Being jolted awake isn’t exactly something he appreciated. Uri wasn’t one to quickly snap out from a dream, despite what he’s capable of doing. In fact, he could be left alone and sleep like a log during certain disasters if allowed. Fortunately, Shuuten would always be there to take charge and wake him up. The guy had a calm face, a calm voice, and a persistent personality that was simply hard to ignore. But that’s what this newbie lacked. It was obvious that Hira was very much different from the calm and collected Shuuten. He had his own short outbursts when pushed, and Uri didn’t like it because it made him mad all the more. It was almost as if he was the fuel that ignites the fire within him. Not necessarily bad, but not necessarily good for his health either.

So when he felt the shoving hands and heard the voice, Uri woke up with a frown. Immediately, he pounced on the latter, pinning him to the ground and glaring at him with such doom written all over his face. Red eyes slanted as he studied Hira’s features, vision trying to come together after a moment’s respite. And when he recognized that it was Hira, he clicked his tongue and moved away.

“Right. I don’t want to stay with you for long or I’ll be left to carry you to the hospital,” said the redhead as he stood up to his full height and gave a long stretch with his arms and back, cracking some joints and then huffing. He was still feeling a bit down from that strange dream. He never liked it at all, not once when he would have episodes of it always recurring. But that never stopped him.

As it was nighttime, the forest sounded so peaceful, with nary a speck of woodland creatures. He waited for Hira to get ready and perhaps release them from the protection of the jutsu that created a makeshift barrier to the alcove. Only then would he take a few steps outside and glance about him. Despite the stillness in the air, he could almost sense certain eyes. They weren’t close, but their presence was obvious.

“The predators take comfort of the dark. I hope you’re not afraid of it because they’ve been watching this spot for a while now,” he added as he flexed a hand and small blue flames appeared to perch along his limb. “Well then, shall we continue? And don’t get left behind.”

That said, the redhead went running down the path outside, like a flame seemingly illuminating the dimly world, before auras of chakra spiked around them to reveal a handful of beasties that have been waiting for their cue.

[WC: 456 + 267 = 723]
[Post: 2/5]

 

[Hirateuchi]

Hira didn't imagine that his companion would be thrilled with being woken from his slumber, but he was equally unamused with the reaction he was given. The tackling was somewhat expected when he really thought about it, but was the comment really necessary? Here he thought they had been making some amount of progress in not trying to not be at each other's throats.

He lifted his hands as Uri got off, letting the ice near the entrance melt into a puddle, which he soon proceeded past and would continue to start running off. Don't get left behind? He thought to himself in a mocking voice. Man you were the one taking your sweet time in dreamland...

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming" Hira replied unenthusiastically.

He got up, brushing off as much of the grime from his clothes as he could manage before taking a quick moment to stretch. Damn he didn't even try to wait, did he. HIra looked out with a sullen expression, not excited to be chasing after Uri while the beasts still roamed around. Bending one leg down, he suddenly burst out of the alcove with a great burst of speed, using the water left on the floor to coat his feet as he passed. With every step he took he shot a little out as though it were some sort of fuel, helping to propell him further towards the other shinobi.

As he made his way through the forest, Hira could sense the beasts presence in the trees surrounding them, but in this dark it was all he could to do keep track of uri. WIth a sigh he felt it might be time to rely more on his weapon for close-range combat than to try and react with ninjutsu. He made a motion in the air that would drop the blades from his sleeve, left to hang there as he continued to run after Uri. Well at least I know the old man won't make it easy for them...

[Post 2/5, WC 344; Total WC 701]

 

[Kiri]

Uri could sense the other catching up from behind. He smirked at the thought that he was a rather persistent guy. He won’t deny that he did once think that maybe a little challenge would have chased the boy away, but Hira was proving to be more than what first thought. Still, he would need to learn a few things about the redhead should he really be assigned to him as a babysitter. Now that he thought about, Uri was slightly pissed about it. He wasn’t a child anymore and yet he was still getting babysitters left and right. He’ll have to talk to Shutter about it when he does return.

Through the forest, a couple of lichen creatures sprang to life, shooting vines from the sides of their bodies. Uri managed to evade with ease, shooting a flurry of blue flames at their direction. A few more would appear to try and catch Hira, but the redhead trusted the boy enough not to be taken down so easily. A sly creature tried to catch the redhead from behind but the intensity of his flames grew out of nowhere and it cowered and ran away. Uri’s defenses weren’t a likely joke. He was as good of an offensive weapon as he was at keeping harm away from him.

As he let his eyes track down the fleeing creature, he soon realized something amiss. The creatures that have appeared so far seemed to attack with a sense of synchronicity, and yet, they also had a sense of fear. Not to mention that the small one easily cowered and fled. It made him think if they were merely pawns of something much frightening.

“We’ll keep going,” he called out to Hira before he turned to start walking off again, only to be stopped. A grin placed itself on his face as his eyes burned the image in front of him. It would seem as though they would not have to look for long as the beast himself would reveal himself from behind the trees. It was as large as a tree, slender and lichen stretched across its hide. On its breast stretching up to its neck was a warm glow of light, showing bits of its face and the branch-like horns on its head. Slowly, from its back, its long serpentine tail would rise and whip around in its attempt to agitate the two shinobis.

Spoiler

Whether this was a real predator, or simply one that was trying to protect its territory – it was unknown. But one thing was certain and that was it would still have to be cut down. Slowly, Uri pulled out a folded paper from his pocket and flipped it to reveal the childish sketch of the monster that was sighted lately, and one that they were to hunt down. Definitely, it was this one.

And as if it knew the purpose of their visit, the creature roared and the forest around them came to life with smaller lichen creatures appearing to surround them.

[WC: 506 + 723 = 1,229]
[Post: 3/5]

 

[Hirateuchi]

As Hira chased after Uri, it would be far out of his notice that vines would be shooting out from the trees, being too distracted with catching up to Uri to pay much notice. As they reached his body, his weapon would react, almost as though it had its own will, and cut through each and every attack, shielding Hira from any harm. It would only be then that he noticed what had happened, and he would stop in his tracks, silently cursing himself for dropping his guard. And damn you for always doing everything for me old man... how am I supposed to get any stronger with you always stepping in?

He mumbled to himself long enough to miss what had frozen Uri in place, if only for a moment to assess the situation. He couldn't see Uri's devilish grin, but he knew that something must have happened to make the shinobi stop in his place, and these creatures were certainly too weak to do that all on their own. Hira, wondering what could be keeping him began to call out, but before he could finish a single word the threat revealed itself.

Hira hardly had time to take in the details before more creatures appeared from every direction, poised to attack. Perhaps each one on its own did not pose a threat to the pair, but Hira knew all too well that if they were to remain outnumbered like this for long they could easily get fatigued and things could start to go poorly. Without hesitation, he slammed his hand on the ground, as two large spurts of water began to rise at an alarming rate, forming into viscous dragon-like shapes before shooting out in a torrent of chakra-infused waves of destruction. Each one would circle around the boy for a moment before shooting out, collapsing on trees to the left and right, tearing its way through the creatures as he yelled out.

"Uri, if we're going to deal with that thing we better make it quick! I'm not looking to get tired and die out here."

He would not wait for a response, as he took it upon himself to create an opening for Uri, There was a clear lack of strength on his part, and Uri's flames were much stronger than his own jutsu. He felt somewhat useless, relying on his partner to do the hard work, but he knew where his limits resided and decided to make the best use of his chakra. Hopefully it would be enough...

[Post 3/5, WC 423; Total WC 1124]

 

[Kiri]

It wasn’t before long when the creatures seemed to be on the move on them. Hira, who had caught up, began the encounter by calling forth water dragons that bared their vicious fangs out to incoming enemies. Collision with the jutsu sent numerous trees falling like twigs. The boy had surely gained some confidence and strength over the days. Though he would need to learn more trust on himself. “If you die, you die. Don’t chicken out,” called out Uri without looking back.

The redhead kept a steady gaze over the giant creature, who in turn, stood its ground. Though its tail whipped and lashes about behind it, it stood rather firm and intimidating. Uri somehow felt it nostalgic. The way the creature was acting reminded him of a certain someone he couldn’t really point out.

Dropping the folded paper to the ground, it would catch on blue flames before turning into ashes that was swept by the gust of wind from the gather chakra around Uri. It wasn’t at all strong, just a whiff of a breeze as he took small steps closer to the creature. Each step made the creature’s tail lash out more furiously, until Uri was just an arm’s length away from it.

Then, it happened. The shadows around them began to race and shoot out from the ground in an attempt to pierce them. Uri quickly covered his arms in blue flames and punched each tendril, breaking each touch like fragile glass, shattering before him. At that point, the creature dove right at him, with its head stuck out to impale him with the horns. Uri grabbed onto the horns as he was pushed back until he hit one of the fallen trees. At once, more shadow tendrils stretched from behind the creature and aimed at him.

“Don’t be too hasty,” he said through gritted teeth.

One by one, the shadow tendrils shot down leaving a mark on the tree, Uri quickly rolling aside to the avoid the dangerous strikes. He then kicked up from the tree and enveloped his body in seemingly ethereal blue flames, pulling an arm back, and then letting it whip into a massive punch on the creature’s head. The creature crashed to the ground and before it could even retaliate, Uri was already on top of it before hammering down another blow that broke the horns and pummeled the creature to the ground with a big impact as blue flames began to the engulf it.

But at the very moment when the heat in his hand began to form a deadly energy that could surgically cut open the beast, Uri caught a glimpse of the creature’s eyes. No sign of fear whatsoever. It was almost as if it was resigned to its fate. At that moment, Uri glanced about and saw that some of the smaller creatures from earlier were now hiding behind trees, though some dared to sneak a peek. Hunts were very much similar to executions, and this should not be any different.

And yet, there was something stopping his hand. It wasn’t the defiant glare – far from it, for it didn’t have such emotions in them. It wasn’t the onlookers – he had already resolved to be the weapon for the village’s intent to be bothered by what people would say behind his back. It wasn’t the situation where he was sent to subdue the creature that in all purpose and intents didn’t even begin to fight back until they were deep into its territory – for all that is right would be the same action as any other who fears the invasion of enemies. It was merely a connection that formed in his mind that made him wonder.

“I said ‘Don't be too hasty’,” Uri spoke as the flames died out and he got off the fallen creature. He took a few steps back and the creature quickly stood up and bared its lashing tail while blood oozed from the broken horns and the patches of burns on its skin. It didn’t howl. The tail shot out to Uri, barely hitting him, though scratching the side of cheek, a cut forming. Yet he didn’t move.

The stare down felt like an eternity but it wasn’t long before the smaller creatures began to appear and surround the larger beast, like a convoy as it slowly turned around and disappeared into the trees beyond.

Uri didn’t pursue the matter even as he watched the figures retreat.

[WC: 746 + 1,229 = 1,975]
[Post: 4/5]

 

[Hirateuchi]

The fight was short-lived, and ended with much less damage than it rightfully should have if the mission had been carried out. As Hira fended off the smaller creatures, he simply watched as Uri fought and bested the monster, but it would only be when he let it go that a fire built in his chest. As the group retreated in a flock, the beast at the head of the pack wounded, Hira walked up to his partner. A mixture of confusion and disappointment lay clear in his eyes and he could be seen shaking.

"What the hell was that Uri? What happened to if you die, you die? Doesn't the same thing apply to those damn monsters? What, you suddenly felt some pity for the damn thing? We had a mission."

It was all he could to do not attack him. In frustration, Hira grabbed the hem of Uri's shirt, making sure he was looking face to face and listening to everything he had to say. For all his talk of how weak Hira was, Uri had shown his own moment of weakness there. "What do you think you're even saving them from? As soon as it gets reported that they're still in the forest the village will just send somebody else to clean up our mess. You didn't save anything..."

It was hard to tell if the frustration he felt was coming solely from losing their mark. All this time he was beating himself up over not being able to protect those around him, so it was odd to him that he was getting so emotional over not being able to defeat something. Perhaps he was just realizing that protecting wasn't the only thing he hadn't been able to do. Either way he was having trouble containing what he was feeling, and didn't care one bit what reaction that might invoke in Uri.

[Post 4/5, WC 315; Total WC 1439]

 

[Kiri]

He didn’t remove his line of sight until Hira pulled him back to reality. Confused at first, Uri raised a brow at the boy’s rather bewildered actions, before he finally realized what it was. Perhaps, a few nights ago, he would have snapped back at the boy and killed him for this transgression. But things have changed, more so in the few seconds that transpired just now. He sighed as he let the boy finish what he wanted to say before he raised a hand and forcefully pried the other’s hold over his shirt.

“I don’t want your creed is but mine is to be a weapon against all threats of the village. That creature was no threat,” he said simply, not bothering to explain in the best way possible. Though from the expression from the youth’s face, he figured he should at least say a bit more, “Look, if you want to pursue them, go ahead. But think on what you were sent to do. 'Sightings of a terrible man-eating monster’ but it was a farcry from it. It had a sense of reason and it didn’t choose to attack us, it was merely defending. We were the ones transgressing its territory. So who is the one who should be hunted in this predicament? Who is the one out for blood?”

Freeing himself, Uri glanced at the ashes on the ground where the paper was once at. “Not all the time are missions right. Even if we are to obey without question, there is a time when you must ask yourself what it is you are truly fighting for. If you came here to seek for power just for your own benefit, then you’re no better than missing or the rogue. If you came here to prove your superiority over others, then you should be wary of losing yourself in your desire.”

He continues as he walks over one of the fallen trees and touches the bark, a burnt mark placed on its surface, like a warning of sorts. “I guess, I’ve been thinking lately. If we eradicate all who has the potential to be threats to the village, then we should be killing each other and everyone else. But a potential is only a potential and it can be harnessed in multitude of ways. That creature was strong but it chose to act only when it was threatened or those around him, or when its home was intruded. As much as we would run to the gates to fend off beasts and shinobi trying to invade, there’s no justification to fell one unless the threat is real.”

He glances back to Hira, “If you think power is meant to suppress the threat of the outside world, you’re wrong. Power is meant to suppress us from becoming threats to the world around us.” He smirked and then proceeded to walk back along the path of where they came from. “Well, if you think I’m wrong, then you’ll just have to perceive me as the threat to your agenda and cut me down. Otherwise, why don’t you go on and pursue those are fleeing from you. Then see, who is the real monster in this. I would… gladly be the village’s monster against its enemies, but never to those who need a monster to protect them.”

[WC: 557 + 1,975 = 2,532]
[Post: 5/5]

[Topic Left Unless Stopped]

 

[Hirateuchi]

Hira could only watch as Uri walked away, having given a lecture that could no doubt put most at the academy to shame. He still wasn't sure he understood what the man was trying to explain, but it was the first time he saw Uri be so adament about not fighting. There was disappointment in his voice, and not the usual type that came with his run of the mill insults. This was one that showed he was upset with how bloodthirsty Hira had shown himself to be.

Just defending it's territory? Doesn't that still mean people might be attacked just for walking through the forest? What kind of guarentee are we able to make that it won't cause more trouble for the people of the village? What a stupid argument...

At first Hira thought it was a joke; the man whom he had been assigned to watch was turning out to be the one watching him. There was some amount of fear as to what that might mean when Shuuten returned, but he decided to put that in the back of his mind. He remembered all of the things he had been told about Uri, being a weapon for the village and all. Perhaps this whole time Hira hadn't been looking at Uri as more than a weapon either. Was he really no better than the rest of the village? The thoughts would plague him as he followed somberly through the forest, not eager to report the conclusion of their mission...

[Post 5/5, WC 252; Total WC 1648]
[Topic Left Unless Stopped]