Kauru sat atop a dune on the outskirts of Wind Country, an area commonly known as the Expanse. He was still at least half a day’s walk from Sora, which was volitional. Kauru never meant to make it to Sora. Instead, his object was just to meander and look for a place to be alone with his thoughts and his shamisen. This was part of the process Kauru undertook in developing his music, as it afforded him the opportunity to try counterintuitive progressions, unique scales, and arrangements without the fear of losing credibility to an audience. “The things we do for art…” Kauru muttered, a small smile spreading across his face.
Years ago, before his father had passed, Kauru wouldn’t have even dreamed of tagging along to the area with a full escort. Now, he had found his way out past all of the grime and bustle of Sunagakure specifically to be alone. Kauru spoke to the vast emptiness, dejected. “All of the training, all the time spent at the academy and on all of those missions with the old team… none of it helped me half as much as these. How does it make sense that my greatest asset as a shinobi came about in such a haphazard way? Where would I be today if not for my music in that one, singular moment…?”
Underneath the flowing and loose crimson linen scarf which was wrapped around the Chuunin’s head, Kauru’s eyes rattled in their sockets, straining and begging to see the sun sinking into the horizon. Kauru knew dusk was imminent from the rapidly fading chirping of birds and the emergence of the incessant supersonic calls of bats seeking prey. I know how you feel, friends.
The young Hashigaki had grown accustomed to spending his days either blindfolded, or with a large scarf cloaking his face. In fact, looking blind was the only thing that was not new to Kauru since he had lost his father all those years ago. Born with the typical perpetual vision loss common to Hashigaki clan members, Kauru had spent most of his childhood functionally blind. His other senses had compensated as a result, leaving him with a keen sense of hearing that had manifested into a near sonar-like ability to “see”, even in the worst conditions or when outright blindfolded. It had simply become easier for Kauru to utilize his other senses than to struggle through making sense of the often overwhelming and nigh-useless visual stimuli produced with his eyes open.
Years ago, Kauru had managed to defeat a demon in a musical duel, and in exchange, the demon had given him his eyes, which granted Kauru immense power. Not only had he regained his sight, but Kauru now had the ability to seemingly warp the fabric of reality, create and dispel illusions, and copy other shinobi's jutsu reactively, among other talents which still emerged with each passing day. But, like most things too good to be true, Kauru had also suffered greatly as a result. His father, who had brazenly attempted to defeat the demon first, was killed after failing to outplay the creature. Beyond that, each time Kauru utilized his new eyes, he felt a large pull on his chakra levels, leading to his decision to keep them covered whenever not absolutely vital. However, Kauru had decided to make an exception for this rare trip out to the Wind Country outskirts, and untied the scarf from his head, quickly wrapping it around his neck. Slowly, the Hashigaki opened his eyes and let the colors of Sunagakure sunset flood in.
His eyes were still adjusting the now fading light, and he raised a hand to block some of it out. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this whole “vision” thing… Kauru quickly channeled some of his chakra to his eyes and immediately the landscape came into focus.
After a few moments of soaking in the gorgeous sight, Kauru pulled out his shamisen and began to play. The melodies rang out in the twilight, echoing across the dunes, exalting the night to come. Kauru was startled by a rustling sound, causing him to stop his song short. The Hashigaki musician spoke softly into the vacant expanse, “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” and scoured the emerging darkness for signs of a guest, awaiting a response, or to learn if the noise was simply the wind.
WC: 735
(Marked for Training)
Years ago, before his father had passed, Kauru wouldn’t have even dreamed of tagging along to the area with a full escort. Now, he had found his way out past all of the grime and bustle of Sunagakure specifically to be alone. Kauru spoke to the vast emptiness, dejected. “All of the training, all the time spent at the academy and on all of those missions with the old team… none of it helped me half as much as these. How does it make sense that my greatest asset as a shinobi came about in such a haphazard way? Where would I be today if not for my music in that one, singular moment…?”
Underneath the flowing and loose crimson linen scarf which was wrapped around the Chuunin’s head, Kauru’s eyes rattled in their sockets, straining and begging to see the sun sinking into the horizon. Kauru knew dusk was imminent from the rapidly fading chirping of birds and the emergence of the incessant supersonic calls of bats seeking prey. I know how you feel, friends.
The young Hashigaki had grown accustomed to spending his days either blindfolded, or with a large scarf cloaking his face. In fact, looking blind was the only thing that was not new to Kauru since he had lost his father all those years ago. Born with the typical perpetual vision loss common to Hashigaki clan members, Kauru had spent most of his childhood functionally blind. His other senses had compensated as a result, leaving him with a keen sense of hearing that had manifested into a near sonar-like ability to “see”, even in the worst conditions or when outright blindfolded. It had simply become easier for Kauru to utilize his other senses than to struggle through making sense of the often overwhelming and nigh-useless visual stimuli produced with his eyes open.
Years ago, Kauru had managed to defeat a demon in a musical duel, and in exchange, the demon had given him his eyes, which granted Kauru immense power. Not only had he regained his sight, but Kauru now had the ability to seemingly warp the fabric of reality, create and dispel illusions, and copy other shinobi's jutsu reactively, among other talents which still emerged with each passing day. But, like most things too good to be true, Kauru had also suffered greatly as a result. His father, who had brazenly attempted to defeat the demon first, was killed after failing to outplay the creature. Beyond that, each time Kauru utilized his new eyes, he felt a large pull on his chakra levels, leading to his decision to keep them covered whenever not absolutely vital. However, Kauru had decided to make an exception for this rare trip out to the Wind Country outskirts, and untied the scarf from his head, quickly wrapping it around his neck. Slowly, the Hashigaki opened his eyes and let the colors of Sunagakure sunset flood in.
His eyes were still adjusting the now fading light, and he raised a hand to block some of it out. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this whole “vision” thing… Kauru quickly channeled some of his chakra to his eyes and immediately the landscape came into focus.
After a few moments of soaking in the gorgeous sight, Kauru pulled out his shamisen and began to play. The melodies rang out in the twilight, echoing across the dunes, exalting the night to come. Kauru was startled by a rustling sound, causing him to stop his song short. The Hashigaki musician spoke softly into the vacant expanse, “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” and scoured the emerging darkness for signs of a guest, awaiting a response, or to learn if the noise was simply the wind.
WC: 735
(Marked for Training)
