Burnt logs, halfway buried in the sand surrounded the young man. Enclosed on all sides by large stone outcropping, the winds of the desert were calmer here. Not as much sand from dust storms could make its way in here, nor did the harsh winds batter and beat against those who stood within. The space was fairly large, about 100 meters across. It was enough space for a village of 30 homes to live together, cultivate food, and general lead a pleasant life. All of that, however, was in the past. Nothing remained of the once proud village but sand and charcoal, a harsh reminder of the young man's past. Takeyashi was a shinobi of the Village Hidden in the Sand, but he hadn't been born there. While he didn't remember any of his time here, this had once been his home. This place was where his parents had lived, and also where they had died. Takeyashi took a deep breath, steadying himself in this place which meant only sorrow and loss to him.
Years ago, when he'd learned the truth about his parents and his heritage, Takeyashi had made his way into the desert to seek out his birthplace. His aunt and his uncle worried, but they knew this was important to the young man. They let him go, assured by the fact that the Diamond Maelstrom had ceased in its constant bombardment. Even with the aid of maps, it took the young man three days to find this place on his own. If anything positive could be said, it was that this village had been very well hidden — without a map, or being very familiar with the area, the young shinobi never would have found this place those four or five years ago. He was not ashamed to admit that, when he'd entered the first time and saw face to face what was left of this hidden treasure, he wept most violently. Tears of sorrow, regret, and anger all flowed out of him that day. He must have spent two full days there, simply imagining what life must have been like for his parents there. He erected two gravestones, one for each of his parents, at the center of the ruined village. And every now and again, when he had time, the young Spiderling would come to visit his parents.
Today was one such day. He was knelt down in front of his parents' graves, made of two large boulders the young man had found scattered around the rock walls that surrounded him. Over the years, he'd engraved their names and added other decorations — smaller rocks arranged around the edges of the bigger boulders, in intricate and beautiful patterns. Today, he'd come with small pieces of quartz that he'd found on his way here as a small offering to his parents. He didn't like bringing flowers, since they always withered too fast. Stones and rocks lasted much longer in this harsh environment. The six-armed young man sat quietly before the graves, his expression sober and mournful. He was dressed in his usual clothing: a dark brown tunic, which was cut off around his shoulders so that there was nothing to hamper the movement of his extra limbs; a light tan length of cloth that he wore around his neck, protecting his skin and being versatile enough to cover his head when out in the blazing heat; a pair of light tan pants that were tied down to his upper calf with drawstring; a dark brown covering over his pants and parting to each side just over his upper right leg, with a golden band around its edges and a small imprint of the symbol of Sunagakure on its left side; a pair of military sandals with an open footing design, secured to his feet with a few straps that allowed his feet to not be completely covered in the desert heat; a belt pouch which stored all sorts of shinobi supplies; a dark brown mottled coat, which was currently unbuttoned and billowing behind him in the heated winds which blew everywhere; finally, a dark brown bow that was fastened to his back outside of his cloak. He carried with him a full waterskin, which held approximately two days worth of water. It was a rather arduous task to make the journey to this location — one would only make the trip if it was important.
As he sat there, contemplating everything, the young man spoke. His voice was steady, but hidden just below his words was a sadness that ran deep. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I'm sorry I haven't been able to come more often, things have been getting really busy for me. I'm trying to do everything that I can to serve the village — I think I would have made you proud. I'm always trying to do better, so that one day I can make you guys really happy. I can't say it's easy. It's really hard, sometimes, to fit in with people." He paused, his arms shaking a little. He was referring to his extra appendages: the very things that made him unique, also made him an outcast. The young man felt more like a boy right now, scared and needing a loving embrace. "I understand why you two did what you did. Living, even if it's hard, is worth it. I just..." A single tear trickled down his face. "...I just wish I'd had the chance to get to know you better." The young man grew silent, left alone with his thoughts. The silence was therapeutic, almost cathartic. Takeyashi tried to relax, listening to the sound of the wind flowing above the village. He closed his eyes, rested his body, and let himself be consumed by all but the sound of the wind.
[ooc: Using my Discovery of Contract of Your Choice card found here to find the Spider Contract. For the mod that takes up this search, below is a little excerpt of relevant background information to put this topic into context.]
Years ago, when he'd learned the truth about his parents and his heritage, Takeyashi had made his way into the desert to seek out his birthplace. His aunt and his uncle worried, but they knew this was important to the young man. They let him go, assured by the fact that the Diamond Maelstrom had ceased in its constant bombardment. Even with the aid of maps, it took the young man three days to find this place on his own. If anything positive could be said, it was that this village had been very well hidden — without a map, or being very familiar with the area, the young shinobi never would have found this place those four or five years ago. He was not ashamed to admit that, when he'd entered the first time and saw face to face what was left of this hidden treasure, he wept most violently. Tears of sorrow, regret, and anger all flowed out of him that day. He must have spent two full days there, simply imagining what life must have been like for his parents there. He erected two gravestones, one for each of his parents, at the center of the ruined village. And every now and again, when he had time, the young Spiderling would come to visit his parents.
Today was one such day. He was knelt down in front of his parents' graves, made of two large boulders the young man had found scattered around the rock walls that surrounded him. Over the years, he'd engraved their names and added other decorations — smaller rocks arranged around the edges of the bigger boulders, in intricate and beautiful patterns. Today, he'd come with small pieces of quartz that he'd found on his way here as a small offering to his parents. He didn't like bringing flowers, since they always withered too fast. Stones and rocks lasted much longer in this harsh environment. The six-armed young man sat quietly before the graves, his expression sober and mournful. He was dressed in his usual clothing: a dark brown tunic, which was cut off around his shoulders so that there was nothing to hamper the movement of his extra limbs; a light tan length of cloth that he wore around his neck, protecting his skin and being versatile enough to cover his head when out in the blazing heat; a pair of light tan pants that were tied down to his upper calf with drawstring; a dark brown covering over his pants and parting to each side just over his upper right leg, with a golden band around its edges and a small imprint of the symbol of Sunagakure on its left side; a pair of military sandals with an open footing design, secured to his feet with a few straps that allowed his feet to not be completely covered in the desert heat; a belt pouch which stored all sorts of shinobi supplies; a dark brown mottled coat, which was currently unbuttoned and billowing behind him in the heated winds which blew everywhere; finally, a dark brown bow that was fastened to his back outside of his cloak. He carried with him a full waterskin, which held approximately two days worth of water. It was a rather arduous task to make the journey to this location — one would only make the trip if it was important.
As he sat there, contemplating everything, the young man spoke. His voice was steady, but hidden just below his words was a sadness that ran deep. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I'm sorry I haven't been able to come more often, things have been getting really busy for me. I'm trying to do everything that I can to serve the village — I think I would have made you proud. I'm always trying to do better, so that one day I can make you guys really happy. I can't say it's easy. It's really hard, sometimes, to fit in with people." He paused, his arms shaking a little. He was referring to his extra appendages: the very things that made him unique, also made him an outcast. The young man felt more like a boy right now, scared and needing a loving embrace. "I understand why you two did what you did. Living, even if it's hard, is worth it. I just..." A single tear trickled down his face. "...I just wish I'd had the chance to get to know you better." The young man grew silent, left alone with his thoughts. The silence was therapeutic, almost cathartic. Takeyashi tried to relax, listening to the sound of the wind flowing above the village. He closed his eyes, rested his body, and let himself be consumed by all but the sound of the wind.
[ooc: Using my Discovery of Contract of Your Choice card found here to find the Spider Contract. For the mod that takes up this search, below is a little excerpt of relevant background information to put this topic into context.]
His Auntie began to talk. She explained that she wasn't his mother's sister, but had been a close friend of hers. She told Takeyashi about how his parents had not been shinobi. They were clansmen of a hidden family, known as the Hachiashi. They possessed a unique kekkei genkai, giving them an unusual connection to spiders. They hid from the world because of their abnormal bodies: with six arms each, and the odd abilities to produce webbing out of a special mucus they produced, civilians and other commoners were fearful of them. Dreaded as monsters and demons, the clan was forced into hiding for fear of persecution. Takeyashi's mother and father had both been members of this hidden clan, and his Auntie had become friends with his mother when she accidentally stumbled upon their village. Treated as a member of their own family, Takeyashi's Auntie was the greatest friend his mother had ever had. That was why, when his mother came to her, Takeyashi's Auntie was glad to help. It had turned out that when Takeyashi was conceived, his mother and father grew afraid of the life their child would have. They knew that if they raised him and taught him the arts of their clan, he would never be able to live a life free from persecution. He would be hated, and hunted, just as they were. They wanted a better life for Takeyashi, and asked his Auntie to raise him instead. If he lived his life as a civilian, spared from the shinobi arts that would be his curse, he would grow into a healthy and normal adult. The clan's abilities would only manifest through the training of the chakra coils, and only during the adolescent years of development. After that time had passed, his abilities would remain dormant and inert — he would never have to endure the things they had to.
Of course, his Auntie had agreed. She and her husband took the child in, and raised him with love. However, a few months after Takeyashi's parents had asked his Auntie to take care of him, the hidden village of the Hachiashi Clan was pillaged and looted. Another local village, fearing for their safety, had found the hidden village and attacked them during the night. No one was found alive the next morning, and the bodies of Takeyashi's parents were never found. Grief stricken, Takeyashi's Auntie vowed not to let their baby live through that kind of suffering as well. She would do everything in her power to give him a normal life, free from ridicule and mistrust.
Of course, his Auntie had agreed. She and her husband took the child in, and raised him with love. However, a few months after Takeyashi's parents had asked his Auntie to take care of him, the hidden village of the Hachiashi Clan was pillaged and looted. Another local village, fearing for their safety, had found the hidden village and attacked them during the night. No one was found alive the next morning, and the bodies of Takeyashi's parents were never found. Grief stricken, Takeyashi's Auntie vowed not to let their baby live through that kind of suffering as well. She would do everything in her power to give him a normal life, free from ridicule and mistrust.