To turn a curse into a blessing -Requesting Kuro

[Uchiha Akari]

A soft buzzing sound was the only thing that could be heard within a certain part of the Toraono dojo. While some of the visitors might had been curious about whatever was happening behind the large fanciful door where the sound was coming from, but each of them received the same ominous warning that the room was considered off-limits for anyone aside from the leader of the clan. Indeed, even the Toraono themselves knew better than to enter that room without permission, especially when during certain moments of the day the buzzing seemed to intensify. Yet, little did people know that the truth behind that door was not horrifying, but pitifully tragic. In the end within the room was not a torture chamber, or another scene from a nightmare, it was the surprisingly well-maintained chambers of the one of the clan members. Amusingly enough the room carried a certain adorableness to it. Certainly, the table that seemingly was filled with all sorts of bottles and utilities that would have fit more in a laboratory where chemical experiments were conducted, might had looked a bit disturbing but... the beautiful wallpaper that came in the form of a clear blue sky and a sandy surface, accompanied by various plushies that were on display on a nearby shelf would have made it clear the owner was likely a girl, and perhaps even a child. This assumption was confirmed the moment one turned their gaze toward the spacious bed, one that would have been suited for a queen. Seated on the soft blankets, a pillow clinging between herself and her raised knees the green-haired child had concealed her face behind it.

"Why... Why did it have to be like this Kousotsu?"

The child's whisper was barely audible above the soft buzzing of the scarabs swarm that surrounded her. It was a known fact that those unique demonic insects were linked to the child, not only living in a symbiotic relationship with her, but they seemed to even be influenced by her emotions. It had been a few months since Reikiko had locked herself up within her own chambers and refused any and all company. Of course one would question how she would survive without food for so long, and the story itself was one worthy of shedding tears. Without even waiting for instructions a small group of the swarm escaped from the room, and while leaving the child clueless went out to harvest the substances they needed to feed, and quite literally sacrificed their own well-being for her sake. Of course she had grown remarkably weaker over those months, in the end with neither food or water, and her only source of energy being from the link to the swarm she was clearly lacking the power to do more than anything a human would consider basic.

"You're still worried about that encounter with the orphan girl?"

The child nodded her head lightly, the memory of the terrified looks on the villagers their faces when she allowed Kousotsu to unleash his power for the sake of protecting her new friend. But what use did it have? Not only did she scare her friend, but her father had likely gotten into troubles for defying one of the elders of the village? It was always the same story... Her father always tried to help and protect her, and she always caused him troubles. The only person who cared about her... the only person who loved her... And she was nothing but a burden to him!

"Nevertheless, there is another reason why you're terrified, isn't that so Reikiko?"

Yes... There was no doubt about it, the fact that her powers were steadily growing was one of the things that terrified her the most. The abilities of her father, the mystical gifts of the Toraono were starting to slowly develop, waiting to have their potential unleashed. Obviously this terrified her, especially because those powers came together with the more dangerous gift she held: the power of Kousotsu himself. The ancient Sand wyrm's strength had started to become like her own, and using it was almost as natural as breathing. What would the villagers do if they learned about this? What if they were told that at any moment one of the ancient enemies of Sunagakure might rise again, in the middle of their village without them even knowing where or when?

"Is that why you're locking yourself away? Foolish child... Exhaustion will do little to stop both the pain within your heart, nor will it slow down the call for power. You are a Toraono, and my chosen host. The only way your growth will end is when the story of your life reaches its conclusion."

Of course, it was to be expected that just locking herself in and weakening herself would do little...

"So you're saying I'm destined to become a danger to those I love?"

In the end if Kousotsu consumed her, then surely her father would be endangered. Then... Was the only way for her to cease being a burden to do 'that'?

"Maybe... Maybe it would be better for me to die then."

Kousotsu laughed, seemingly deciding to manifest himself mentally as the snake-like creature he often loved to use for his appearance, coiling around the child as his head remained to rest before her own.

"Do you truly believe that is the best solution? Would your mother have wanted for her sacrifice to be in vain? Would your father be able to shoulder the suffering of your suicide? There is another way, one I will gladly force upon you if it means to preserve your life."

The child's eyes seemed to widen in disbelief at Kousotsu's confident words, and it was then, within the blink of an eye that Reikiko felt a sharp headache cause her to grasp a hold of her head, she could feel it. her mind was steadily being drifted away, almost as if she was entering a deep sleep, all the while the sound of buzzing became louder and louder. It took at least a few moments before Reikiko found her vision to return to normal, but instead she found herself no longer within her room. Instead a seemingly infinite desert spread around her. Obviously it confused Reikiko who looked around in bewilderment.

Where... am I?

A sudden powerful gust of wind knocked her off her feet, making the girl tumble onto the sand when finally she noticed the giant shadow that towered above her, the being who it belonged to towering so high into the air it seemed to had been taller than the largest building she had ever seen within the village. There was no second guessing, she already knew who this was.

This place is just a simple product of your imagination, manipulated by my own powers. I brought you here Reikiko to reveal something to you...

The girl blinked in bewilderment at Kousotsu's voice, but after a moment she nodded to confirm she was listening.

A darkness looms over the desert young one, a darkness that would consume everything you hold dear.

The sandwyrm's voice resounded within her thoughts, and obviously the thought of a threat to the village terrified her a little, but surely her father could...

It's not that simple Reikiko. I did mention the darkness would threaten all YOU hold dear. You're a liability to your father, and with the darkness targeting him... YOU will become his downfall! You're his most powerful weakness!

The revelation that she truly was a burden to her father caused tears to gather in the eyes of the child, trying to climb back onto her feet as she shouted at the ancient sandwyrm.

"Then tell me! How can I save Papa?!"

The Sandwyrm seemed to slowly start sinking into the desert, making Reikiko desperately chase after him, as if he possessed the answer she needed.

"Don't run!"

Yet it was too late, for by the time she reached the hole he had retreated into, the sandwyrm was gone, or at least so she thought... It was but a mere moment later the sand beneath her feet shifted, causing her to tumble into the hole as Kousotsu opened his giant maw, seemingly consuming her, but instead of pain only darkness followed as his voice resounded loudly in her mind.

Find your father...
Let him teach you the secrets of your heritage
And together with his aid..
BECOME WYRMBORN!

It were the moment those last words came that Reikiko's eyes opened back within reality, a loud gasp escaping her lips as she gazed around in a panic. Her father! If what Kousotsu said then her father was in danger! Trying to get off the bed, but with her body so exhausted from having minimal nourishment she collapsed, a soft crash being made as she felt flat onto the soft carpet, tears gathering as she flailed in a panic trying to regain the strength to get up.

"Papa!"

She had to get up, before it was too late! But how could she even be sure her father was around? No, that was a silly question, she knew her father would come, no matter what obstacles he had to overcome!

"PAPA!"

Hopefully Kousotsu's warning had not been too late... Hopefully she would gain the power to stop being a liability, and become able to protect her father from the darkness that threatened to consume him!

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Akuma Kuro, the original Kuro and Reikiko's father burst into the chamber with all the ferocity of an overprotective monster, to find no Cabal, no misguided Sunans just his daughter looking scared, perhaps she had a nightmare but Kuro would do great harm if not outright kill anyone whom actually assaulted his daughter by any means. Kuro now stood at six feet, two inches, but still weighed in at two hundred and eighty pounds. His silver gray mane of hair had a reasonable amount of muscle mass to conceal. With a twenty one inch neck Kuro’s hair couldn’t conceal very much even as it cascaded to the center of his upper back. Violet eyes with gold slits peered from a chocolate brow with large ebony horns growing from where a normal man’s temples would be. He wore a sand tone obi around his thirty six inch waist. The obi allowed Kuro to carry his honor blade in a specialized bone sheath. Kuro wore his battle pouch on a second sash just above his right hip. Adjacent his sacred blade Kuro wore a pair of collapsed fuuma shuriken, and last but not least Kuro wore his leg sheath on the interior of his hakama just atop his fighting gi shorts with his ANBU serum and summon scrolls. A convenient cut in the silk cloth of his left hakama pants leg allowed Kuro full access to his ANBU gear without showing exactly where it was till he motioned to grab it. Securing his anbu arm guards and leggings Kuro covered the runic terran markings of his hand and leg wraps. Kuro’s tail swished back and forth its tiger stripes faintly surging with chakra. His black gi top opened to show his overly muscular upper body. Violet violent chakra surged about his hands as he went about checking her chambers with a quick discerning eye then sending his hunter and his seeker avatars in a perimeter search. Kuro then relaxed to a point where he could approach his daughter without scaring her any further the chakra about his limbs dimming to barely noticeable sparks. "You scared me little one, you used to call me Papa when you were much younger and even then only when you were frightened or hurt, is something the matter?"<i></i>

 

[Uchiha Akari]

When Kuro entered the room Reikiko couldn't help but breathe out a long sigh of relief, a gesture that was followed with a sob as she tried to wipe away her tears. Although her heart was still haunted with the fear she felt at Kousotsu's revelation, the child felt at least slightly reassured that he was seemingly unharmed. Despite her attempt to get back onto her feet, first by resting her body upon one knee, before pushing her body upwards, the lack of strength caused the poor child to tumble onto her behind, cheeks flushing up lightly. It was true that she rarely called Kuro 'Papa', in fact ever since she learned the truth about her mother's death, and the reason why the village seemed so distrustful of her, the child had chosen to adopt the more proper 'Otou-san'.

"I.."

She was on the verge of trying to get back onto her feet, and to Kuro's perceptive look he would likely notice one of the tiny insects of the 'swarm' had just came from the lone window of the room, its tiny body filled with what clearly seemed to be not just chakra, but some form of 'essence' that filled a person's life. The insect had secretly rested itself on Reikiko's neck, subtle enough that she wouldn't notice him before it tried to inject something into her, and surely Kuro would notice that his daughter was regaining a tiny fragment of her former strength, just enough to climb onto its feet while a little buzz reached Kuro's ears, as if the insect silently told him a message. The insect knew it was likely noticed, but as its body seemed to slowly turn into dust, it was clear that as the fragments flown away in the breeze that flown through the open window that it didn't want Reikiko to know about its sacrifice.

"Hungry..."

A soft growl came from her stomach as she took a few unsteady steps toward her father, her small hands trying to cling against his torso as she shook her head, seemingly attempting to clear her thoughts and focus back onto the matter at hand.

"No- I mean please tell me more about mama! About mama, and papa and about the Toraono! I need to learn more papa. I need to learn the truth about everything! Even if the village hates me and Kousotsu, I want to find out about the past."

She looked upwards, her mismatched eyes gazing at him with a look of concern within them.

"I know papa... Of how thanks to your protection I been safe from everything that happened recently. But I also know of the darkness of the desert! Something... something is trying to eat you! I won't--- I won't let anyone take you away from me! I.. don't want to lose papa also..."

Although she tried to hold back the urge to cry, her voice clearly was shaking with sorrow.

"At this rate papa will be eaten, Papa's weakness is me, isn't it? Everyone says how you're really strong, but I know that my existence is a liability to papa! That is why I need to become strong! I need to become like papa and mama! To wield the power of both the Toraono and Kousotsu, so that nobody can take you away from me..."

And then it came, after a deep breath and those pleading eyes she spoke the question that she been longing to ask.

"Papa! Please train me to become strong like you! So that this time I can protect you!"

Yet as the growling of her stomach continued she added with a intense blush upon her cheeks.

"Umm and dinner... or is it lunch time? I haven't eaten in a long time..."

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro sighed in both relief and frustration. He was relieved that Reikiko was more or less unharmed and able to comprehend events around her. He was also relieved she had not run into any Cabal or Imperial Assassins in his current state. Did she only feel the emotions of her sandwyrm or was she able to fully comprehend and embrace it? He was still very frustrated that he could not explain everything to her as there was much he could only speak to her about from the books and ledgers of her mother’s monastery.

Smiling despite her noble allies sacrificing themselves for her he picked her up and hugged her just as he used to when she was only a toddler and carried her from her chamber to a nearby kitchen where he sat her down upon a table before turning to the walk in freezer and pulling out her favorite meat. A rare delicacy, carnasaur steak along with a set of onions, tomatoes, crushed garlic cloves, thick seasoned goat milk butter and primal pickled cucumbers ((super pickles)). He then removed a wok from the hanging rack and applied a large helping of the spicy butter. Using his telekinesis he pulled other pots and pans from the hanging rack and set water to boil for rice and placed the large steak in a pan to sear the frost away and leave the meat tender yet lightly scorched. Once the meal had begun to cook Kuro sat on the table next to Reikiko and began to tell her what he believed she needed to know and answered some of her questions and fears along the way.

“Where to begin… well first off while the food cooks I will tell you where our lineage as the Toraono Clan of today began…”</COLOR><i></i>


First is:

The Tale of Hyakujuuonouu


Long ago when the world was new and Akuma and Tenchi roamed the world freely, beasts possessed great powers and the Gods had yet to create man. Hyakujuuonouu was one of the first great demon beasts. As the self - declared ‘King of beasts’ he found out that he was able to use the prowess and abilities of any beast he devoured and by the time man was created he'd devoured so many that he had attained the size of a small mountain. He was born as a lion with great and terrible power over earth, flame, and wind. Cunning, fierce, brave and loyal he accepted any challenge.

His first true battles were against his own kin, which he didn't devour but he did take in their blood and essence as it were. The flesh and blood he sampled from them gave him enough of their spirit to allow him to take on some of their abilities and mix them with his own.

His first fight was with a child of Byakko and Hyajuuonouu’s cousin… and he would address him with honor. "Cousin Shiro-Toraono most beautiful of all our family I challenge you, for I believe Fire & Earth are stronger than wind." roared Hyakujuuonouu as he stood at the base of the white mountain.

Shiro-Toraono the white tiger lord of the mountains, he was larger, faster and blessed with claws of wind. He then replied "You are wrong little King for my winds and claws can freeze the earth and blow away the fire, you cannot beat me." Shiro-Toraono smiled as he beckoned Hyakujuuonouu to meet him on the side of the mountain. Their fight lasted 4 days and 3 nights with Hyakujuuonouu taking more damage than Shiro-Toraono, until at the crest of the mountain Hyakujuuonouu caused an eruption and with great ferocity struck Shiro* with the rage and fury of a volcano leaving scars which became stripes from his attacks all over Shiro's body. Shiro conceded the battle to Hyakujuuonouu and gave up a portion of his spirit, granting Hyaku minor control over wind and Shiro's ability to swim. "You are amazingly stubborn cousin and so I give you some of my power and I shall forever wear these scars with pride." smirked Shiro* as he bounded back unto the mountain.

The next opponent to fall before Hyakujuuonouu was Hyou the panther. Hyou carried an affinity for the jungle and with it great agility, stealth, and speed. Hyakujuuonouu had earned lights stripes from his battle with Shiro Tora. Smiling as he came to the base of the mountain Hyakujuuonouu saw eyes peering at him from a great jungle. "Think you can match me in the forest? For you see lost King I rule the jungles, my skills and speed would destroy all your great strength!!" teased Hyou, the great leopard. Hyakujuuonouu grinned as he approached "I accept your challenge little cub, but you skill cannot beat my strength, my bite is stronger than yours could ever be." replied Hyaku as he leaped into the massive jungle trees to find Hyou. Hyakujuuonouu and Hyou battled for 2 days and 1 night. Stealthy as Hyou was he could scarcely damage the lion due to his great strength, every time Hyou managed a sneak attack Hyakujuuonouu countered after letting Hyou bite him, Hyaku would grapple him to the ground and maul him. After so many bite wounds, Hyou developed huge spots, which he hid by changing his once golden fur to night black. Hyou conceded to Hyakujuuonouu and with his spirit granted Hyakujuuonouu more agility, speed, and stealth. In response Hyaku's fur became black and his scars from Shiro became grey stripes. "Surely you ARE strong Great king I give you a portion of my power and knowledge and accept these spots as proof of our battle" Hyou grinned looking at his new spots from the multiple bite wounds and with them he stalked off to find his sister Cheetah so he might give her smaller neater spots from loving bites so they might race now and then a blur of spots. Hyakujuuonouu waved as Hyou left, tired from blood loss and content. Wiser from his battles with his cousins Hyaku stalked off to the great plains of the savanah to recover.

It was during his 4 days of resting that Hyakujuuonouu came upon a heard of bison of great size and of such power that their every step shook the earth. Hungry from his week of fighting Hyaku challenged the Ox King for the right to eat one of his kin. "I have great hunger Ox King, and I would feast upon one of your lesser kin if you would allow me, I am not a pauper or a Hyena so I will ask you first." spoke Hyakujuuonouu as he stepped from the grassy knoll he had been resting in. The Ox King turned to face Hyakujuuonouu as he spoke. "None of my herd is to be a meal for you this day LITTLE king, go eat a vulture… For I will not let even the sickest, lowest, or weakest of my kin become a meal for you or anyone else." Hyakujuuonouu was taken aback by the Oushi-ouja's reply as he had come to him and asked King to King. "I see, since I am not worthy of having one of your lesser then obviously you would have me best you and YOU would then become my meal!!" yelled Hyakujuuonouu.

The Oushi-ouja trotted over and stood face to face with Hyakujuuonouu as he spoke with a low and terrible voice... "You are alone little kitten and I can crush you as I do the grass beneath my hooves, flee before I decide to use your fur to decorate my horns..." Hyakujuuonouu interrupted him dis-respectfully... "Silence, you impudent grass eater!!! I asked in good faith and honor and you could have just said no, but YOU took offense, Now I will have a piece of your hide!!" At these words Hyaku struck the Ox King across the muzzle damaging his breathing. His second claw struck solid bone as the Oushi-ouja dashed forward gouging a tear into Hyakujuuonouu's left shoulder with his horns. Hyakujuuonouu leapt back to gain momentum for a charge as the Ox King also reared back to charge. Running directly for one another, both Kings clashed in the middle of the field but Ox King's strength was so great that his charge knocked Hyakujuuonouu far away into a great lake. Knowing lions didn't swim to well he believed the match to be over and began to rub his muzzle on some broken aloe plants to speed up his healing. Hyaku struck the water's surface feet first, at first skittering and skidding across the water of the lake like a skipped stone before sinking into its depths. A crocodile on the bank of the river leading into the lake laughed for a moment till he saw Hyakujuuonouu swim faster than any feline he had ever seen. With great and terrible fury Hyakujuuonouu leaped from the lake angrier than he had ever been in his entire life. Possessed by such great and terrible fury and the abilities of his cousins augmenting his own Hyakujuuonouu became a blur moving nearly as fast as Pu-ma the cheetah.

Wind, earth, and fire fueled his rage as great billows of dust kicked up behind Hyakujuuonouu’s charge as he screamed and leapt from the plains like a streak of night bowling over the Ox King. The Ox King's herd fled in the presence of such a great battle. The Oushi-ouja struggled to his feet as a flaming claw bashed him into the sky, with a great leap Hyakujuuonouu leapt into the sky above him and struck him back down to the Earth. Oushi-ouja landed and with a great bellow as he called forth a storm as lightning began passing between the tips of his horns energizing his horns, bones, and hooves. Hyakujuuonouu and the Ox King clashed again and again in a climactic battle that lasted 7 days and 6 nights. After such a long battle both demon beasts were severely wounded and tired yet filled with their unearthly pride and rage neither King would back down.

"We shall finish this battle with this final charge..." murmured Oushi-ouja, his body all bloodied and torn. Even his great healing ability was severely taxed. Hyaku didn't reply he simply trotted off in the opposite direction until they stood equal distance apart from one another. The Ox King bellowed once more and lightning strikes energized his horns. Hyakujuuonouu’s panther enhanced wisdom and cunning helped him think up a killing technique for use against Oushi-ouja. The Ox King charged for Hyakujuuonouu like an avalanche falling down a mountain. Hyakujuuonouu rushed forward as well but at the last possible moment leapt to the side with a sweeping claw strike to The Ox King's throat as he revealed his latest technique "THROAT RIPPER!!" he screamed. The Ox King fell before Hyakujuuonouu’s panther inspired technique and with a powerful and thunderous roar he declared himself winner and devoured the Oushi-ouja’s body and spirit. Such was his hunger after such a long fight that not even bones were left uneaten, every morsel of his body was taken in and became a part of Hyakujuuonouu. After such a feast the son of the Ox King approached the now sleepy lion. "I lead the herd now, my father has paid dearly for his pride. From now on you may have the weakest of us as a meal when you request it from us." Ox King Jr. bellowed and a lesser storm answered his call, with great dignity he bumped heads with Hyakujuuonouu in acknowledgment then he turned and led his herd away. Hyakujuuonouu half asleep lazily replied "He only had to say No." as he watched the herd leave.

Having slept for 14 days he awoke even stronger and enhanced. He was now graced with the horns of the Ox King and power over storms. He had attained a heightened level of strength, a greater knowledge of herbs, plants, and streams and was now twice his original size. Having not looked at his reflection in quite some time and having awakened to horns Hyakujuuonouu trotted to the lake and before drinking looked at his reflection. He believed himself to be quite debonair. His fur had a new thicker, healthier, sheen. He had grown massive horns that were as black and shiny as his fur save his grey stripes. His claws were 3 times their original size and his chest, legs and rear haunches were now excessively muscled and defined. Extremely pleased with himself he stalked off to find new challenges.

Long after his various adventures he came upon a celestial woman. This celestial had been severely wounded and was lying against a huge boulder with her hands pinned to it by a strange crystal devices. Approaching her the tenchi looked up at him in wonder and a small twinge of fear for she had never seen such a massive beast. He spoke to her with great dignity and the hubris of a naïve king. "I am Hyakujuuonouu, King of Beasts, What has happened here?" asked Hyakujuuonouu as he sniffed her. After breathing in the sweet aroma of heaven he was tantalized by the scent of her blood. Carefully flicking his claws he removed the crystal stakes pinning her hands and licked them with a purr hoping to help them mend by willing her wounds closed as he did his own. Her hands actually began to heal as his powers engulfed her wounds. Seeing the intelligence in his eyes and witnessing the kindness in his actions Amaterasu whispered "Run... before HE returns, he leads a rebellion against all that is order in a mad quest for power and he will slay any who aid me." Hyakujuuonouu was taken aback for a moment, "What is this He?" Amaterasu would have laughed if their situation wouldn't have been so dire. "He is a Shinigami named Okibi but he has become something far more ...." Amaterasu replied as she enticed Hyakujuuonouu to follow her. Hyakujuuonouu took a rather confused look as these concepts were far beyond his simple understanding and just nodded and grinned as if he understood. Amaterasu fell as she ran and so he helped her unto his back and ran with all the powers he had gained synched to reinforce those he was created with.

"Where to?" he asked but Amaterasu had fallen asleep upon his back. Grinning Hyakujuuonouu took her to a large cave he had used as a den a few times before. Despite his massive size they were both able to fit comfortably while he guarded its entrance for a couple of weeks. It was then that a large column of fire burst from the ground in front of him and a being of flaming light stepped from the spire of flame to stand before Hyakujuuonouu.

"I am Okibi, scourge of the earth, leave my sister so I may finish her torture or die." Hyakujuuonouu didn't understand everything but he did understand a threat when he heard one and his anger bellowed forth once more. "YOU LEAVE Pitiful (adding a bit to Okibi's name) I am THE KING OF BEASTS Hyakujuuonouu and I do as I please. I find her scent quite nice and I will be talking with her when she awakes."
Okibi laughed hard a horrible wilting, grating sound as he pulled a flaming sword from the very air. "Pitiful? Humph God does love creating such unusual things but like the kitten you are I shall end this now." At that Okibi vanished and just as suddenly as he had done so a sharp horrid pain riddled Hyakujunuuoou's heart as he slowly turned his head to see Okibi had stabbed him through the side. Dropping to the ground as blood poured forth as Amaterasu emerged from the cavern on his right side. Okibi walked over Hyakujuuonouu’s dying body and grabbed Amaterasu by her hair and just as Okibi did so with his last ounce of strength Hyakujuuonouu tried to perform a leaping throat ripper on Okibi but ended up only gashing the side of Okibi's face. It still forced him to drop Amaterasu whom turned around to see the beast king dying. Okibi was preparing to hack Hyakujuuonouu apart when Amaterasu used her ultimate ability to gather all that Hyakujuuonouu was into a spirit ball and with her dying wish send him into another dimension where he would be reincarnated one day.

Okibi watched contently as they both became dust. "Poor little Amaterasu, you always did love animals..." and at that comment he laughed hideously before disappearing as quickly as he had come. Amaterasu's dying wish had been granted as she returned to her servitude in the heavens and Hyakujuuonouu was left to slumber in a pocket dimension to await the birth of man and the tribe that would serve her as warriors of honor and vengeance as the King of Beasts.


“I tell you his story because I am Hyakujuuonouu’s reincarnation.”<i></i>

The meat was seared, the vegetables deep fried and then mixed with tomato’s and crushed garlic to form a thick sauce as Kuro used his telekinesis and his skills as a chef to prepare a meal that would calm his daughter. The rice was ready after Kuro checked the pot with a deft flicker of his left wrist. Placing a large bowl of rice on the table Kuro telekinetically set the table for two. Late lunch as it were Kuro filled a bowl with rice before placing another pot of sauce on the table as well. He then carefully sliced the meat into thin strips just the way she always liked them.

With some of his origin out of the way Kuro began to talk about the Toraono Clan itself. He explained how a demon blood became part of the Toraono Clan while she ate.
“Long ago during the war with the Ancients, the elder grandmaster of the Toraono Clan called upon a demonbeast named Kai to aid the last of their clan as they were being overrun by the forces of Homura and Fuujin during the late stages of the war shortly before Primus defeated those same two Ancient lords in battle. You see the Toraono Clan began as slaves, gladiators that fought for his pleasure against all manner of creatures. They hid their knowledge in his own coliseum and trained one another in hand to hand combat and tactics needed to win and keep themselves alive. Their greatest warrior and elder was a man known as Toraono Budo he had nine sons through Homura's breeding program and seven born from love and he trained all 16 to be great warriors. Through the years they had won many battles and received many rewards and learned how to commune with the spirits of battle. When the First Men arrived the Toraono Clan was sent to do battle with them but instead of engaging the First Men they joined them. Aware of their betrayal Homura had their women and children slaughtered in the pits by demons and beasts that one by one they could have triumphed over but altogether were an overwhelming force. Budo and his sons protected the women and children of four other families allowing them to escape. As his sons fell one by one Budo called out to the strongest demon beast he knew to save his fallen son as all the others had been devoured. Kai was the younger brother of Hyakujuuonouu he was not the King of Beasts but many feared his wrath so when he answered Budo's summons the rampaging demons and beasts were taken aback. Budo made a pact with Kai that in exchange for his soul and the souls of all his sons lost in battle that Kai would become his son and avenge his clan against all treachery. He placed all he had left in Kai before sending the last of the chidren he could save to safety. Kai accepted Budo's request and the curse that went with it, he gave up his demonbeast form and inhabited the fallen body of Budo's son that had not been devoured by the demons and beasts in their rampage at Homura's behest. Toraono Kai was born in the bloody sands of this very coliseum bound by blood, spirit, and oath to protect the children of the sands from all treachery. His demonbeast body turned to metallic stone and sealed itself away as Toraono Kai with all the knowledge of the Toraono Clan fighting styles and his own stood with his father and they two alone slaughtered over a thousand demons and demon beasts in hand to fang & claw combat. Budo held on with Kai's help until the First Men stormed the coliseum. Shortly after Primus called Homura and Fuujin out to battle. Budo finally succumbed to his wounds but he had saved his clan. His son Toraono Kai would honor them and keep their lineage alive, although not in quite the manner either of them expected. So you see there is power in our blood that transcends demons and humans and that is something natural to us all as main branch Toraono Clan. Especially within you my daughter."

Kuro wiped Reikiko's mouth in his fatherly manner as she ate and then started preparing a desert as he crushed some sparkleberries into paste for ice cream. He began to vigorously stir cream and milk with crushed ice and honey. Using his telekinesis to aid his physical motions he finished making her a large bowl of honey sparkleberry ice cream in record time 6 minutes.

He placed the bowl of ice cream before her as he tried to figure out a way to talk about her mother. <COLOR color="indigo">"Your mother was one of the strongest women in the world, even your Grandmother could respect that. She was able to wield all the basic elements and talk to the spirits. No one could lie to her and no illusion could fool her. She was very genuine and very loving and you have her green hair. There isn't very much I can tell you that you don't already know. I do have some books and ledgers and some artifacts for you that belonged to her but that will happen on another day after you have completed your training. Now as far as Kousotsu is concerned it is an Ancient Sandwyrm which means it is intelligent and powerful, it allowed itself to be sealed to bring about a type of peace between us and sandwyrms. Because of its sacrifice we don't hunt sandwyrms unless they are a recognized threat. They are placed in safe zones in the deep desert when they are young so they rarely develop the habit of hunting humans or our caravans. Kousotsu was capable of a great many things and as its host you will one day be able to commune with it and wield some of its power as well. Doing so will cause you to transform as Kousotsu was able to do, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with being among the armored Wyrmborn."<i></i>

MFT
WC: 3840

 

[Uchiha Akari]

If there was one thing people easily noticed about Reikiko, then it was the fact she had become fairly gluttonous, especially as a result of the presence of the Sandwyrm within her. Of course she was rather excited to listen to her father's story, having always been fond of listening to the legends and myths that he knew. The story of the great King of Beasts was carefully followed, a tale of a predator with the heart of a true warrior, and occasionally she stopped devouring the meat she was eating alongside all the other things to listen to his story. The origins of the Toraono clan had been known to her, but the details her father told her still made her look like a excited child listening to their favorite story.

"If you're the King of Beasts, does that make me the Princess of Beasts?"

The question was innocent yet playful in its own way, yet when they arrived at the subject of her mother and Kousotsu the child had gone silent, watching her father prepare the ice-cream when after the first lick she slowly lowered the dessert onto the table, a short moment following as her grey iris turned a crimson color, a sign that the man surely would be able to comprehend as Kousotsu taking control over his daughter.

"An admirable tale, yet one not entirely correct Son of Kaibudo. Your daughter's path isn't necessarily bound to that of the armored Wyrmborn."

The possessed child raised her gaze, looking at Kuro as the tone she used was somewhat more confident and old-fashioned, and even a bit more masculine in a way.

"Your daughter is at a crossroads, and with the dormant powers within her threatening to consume her, it will require the two of you to make a decision soon. I know that you discovered the secrets Mayumi uncovered. Secrets considered so powerful it would be a taboo even for an ordinary Toraono clan member to wield, am I correct?"

The child shook her head gently, the smile upon her lips fading away.

"The desert whispers, it tells me of a darkness stirring among the shifting sands, like a venomous viper that slithers among the desert flower known as Sunagakure, but it desires not to devour the flower, but the gardener tending to it... YOU Toraono Kuro. Although I hold little interest in the affairs of man, this darkness that will consume you someday is just as much a threat to you, as it is to your daughter, and for the sake of my vessel I will do what is needed..."

The child raised a hand to her chest, the soft fabric of the miko garb reminding the sandwyrm of something from the distant past.

"You speak of legends and myths, yet you know what Mayumi discovered. You always knew, didn't you? the reason why this child is so fragile? In the end, she is the heiress to your legacy. How long do you think it would take before the myths start catching up with her?"

The question was asked with genuine interest as he continued their conversation.

"I believe your people call it 'Rinnegan' the sacred power of your eyes? But your daughter's power doesn't go beyond merely such a gift. Mayumi knew that there were only a few ways for her to survive the overwhelming power of her heritage. The first option would for her to become one of the Armored Wyrmborn, but such a thing... would devour her existence, your daughter would become an empty shell for me to inhabit, and I did make a promise to your wife... The alternative would be for her to learn to wield the power of the Wyrmborn, to become one with me and obtain the means to endure the power within her blood."

Once more he paused, taking a deep breath as finally the revelation followed.

"The last option... To discover the legacy Mayumi left behind. The secrets she uncovered would save your daughter, but at what price? She'd cease being a human being, or even a Toraono for that matter. She'd be stepping into a domain no man should walk... one of the divine and ancients... Nevertheless, the choice is one you'd have to decide with her. Just remember that I WILL act before it's too late to save her..."

And with those words the glow of the crimson eyes started to fade away, one of them turning back to their grey color as the child started to cheerfully lick at the ice-cream. She truly loved sweets like this, excitedly scooping up more ice-cream that was being at such a pace she suddenly froze and grabbed her head while letting out a soft cry.

"Brain-freeze, even a Toraono isn't immune to that I guess~"

Letting out a soft chuckle she looked up to her father, asking in an innocent tone.

"You're looking quite intensely at me Papa..."

Shifting the bowl between them she hummed playfully.

"It's the ice-cream right? Papa loves it also!"

And while innocently scooping up some onto the spoon she declared happily.

"Aaah~"

Little did she knew that secrets were being uncovered, and that one does not simply run away from destiny...

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro listened to Kousotsu speak from within his daughter and the ancient sandwyrm was correct Kuro did have a few ways to save Reikiko, he could transfer Kousotsu's powers to a weapon, he could bind them to her body in a cycle and allow them both to exist as one. He could expand her spiritual existence and allow her to be like him. He could even place seals upon her and allow her genetics to mutate and stop the degeneration from the feuding powers within her. So many ways to save her but all of them cost her so much that Kuro could not bear it.

Kuro would save her with Kousotsu's help, with her naturally expanded soul she would be able to divide the power that was the sandwyrm within her by literally using the sandwyrm's power to create alternate forms of them both and with Kuro's training she would expand her soul to keep her wyrmborn form over each new body. As she finished her ice cream Kuro decided it was time that her partial demon soul was given a chance to fend for itself instead of eating away at his daughter's body.

"Darling, as your mother's daughter and my blood you are capable of expanding your soul to encompass many things. We can weaponize our souls to empower weapons but that is something anyone can do. As my daughter however you can actually take the strain of the powers upon your body and with the extension of another body relieve the stress upon your soul by taking on another body. Come with me and I will teach you how to be Wyrmborn through your mother's artifacts."

 

[Uchiha Akari]

For a moment the child remained silent as her father explained his intentions behind the training he had in mind. Although she knew the power of the Toraono were rather outlandish, at the very least compared to that of the everyday shinobi, the explanation of her father did go just a little bit above her head. What in the world could her father have meant when he spoke about her soul being able to expand and encompass many things? Although as he continued to describe the various capacities the body could obtain, the bit of knowledge that followed made the child's eyes go wide in disbelief. The capacity to infuse her soul into another body? Wasn't that the ancient gift of the Toraono?! Although it made sense for her to possess the potential to do such things, in the end she was the first of his offspring, it didn't change the fact that she had read that this power was a myth! It was such a rare and difficult to wield ability that only a handful of Toraono across her ancestors had properly wielded the power! The power that was called...

"The Rinnegan... I read about it before."

The child's whisper was soft as she followed after her father, thinking back on the few tomes and scrolls she had read on the matter. It seemed the Rinnegan was also known as the eyes of legend, a powerful Doujutsu that was said to belong to one of the most influential figures in the history of the shinobi, some even said he was the reason the ability to use chakra was taught to mankind! A bit of an amazing story, and she still felt a bit skeptical when she heard her father possessed the same gift, but then again with the knowledge her father possessed multiple bodies that all housed his gentle soul there was no doubt there was some form of truth in the rumors.

Still, her eyes shown a different emotion, one of hope and excitement when her mother was mentioned. Artifacts that had once belonged to her mother, a memento that could connect her to the mother she had never known, and longed so much to meet. Still, as they walked she couldn't help but muse softly, her gaze looking at her father's back.

"Papa... do we have a visitor?"

If Kuro had turned around he would have likely noticed that a small insect was sitting on the palm of her raised hand, the buzzing seemingly translating to actual speech for the child.

"A boy... a bit younger than me, they tell me he has your scent, yet he is unfamiliar..."

Obviously she had been talking about a certain lad her father had adopted recently, and yet her tone seemed rather neutral, not too happy or too sad about it, almost as if she was indifferent to the matter. Then again, to Kuro it likely wouldn't have come as a surprise with how indifferent the girl tended to be toward anyone who wasn't her father. She had not even properly bonded with the rest of the family, likely because of her circumstances...

(sorry for the delay~ manga stuff been keeping me busy)

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro nodded as she hit the nail on the head as they went into a special vault. Kuro placed his hand upon an excessively large metal, carmot, and blackstone door that instead of opening rolled to the side on what sounded like very heavy gears. As they entered the chamber every inch of the chamber walls was marked in multiple seals and wards to keep objects in and undesired spirits and people out. It was art to the unobservant but to those blessed with the knowledge of seals it was a magnificent work of severe art. Over one thousand and one seals interwoven to protect and maintain one special chamber. Along a beautiful chakra crystal table set in the center of the the thirty by thirty feet chamber sat three items. One item was an Ancient memory crystal that could only be activated by special blood and chakra. Another item was a wyrm glyph tablet that only one with the presence, sensory, or knowledge of a sandwyrm could decipher. The final object was a scroll sealed with blood and sandwyrm bone. As Kuro showcased these items like the presenter for a game show he explained the presence of the young boy. "Not just a visitor my little one, I adopted a young man whom is now your little brother. If you must know, I get the same feeling of clarity from him that I used to get from your mother so I believe him to be a good match for you despite the difference in abilities. I know you get lonely despite your gifts and having someone your age more or less around without the common village prejudice against all things Toraono will give you a friend and insight into the world at large that I cannot give you. His name is Naki, and I expect you two will get along quite well. I also believe in my heart that he too will one day be stronger than me. Now... these treasures are meant to be used by you on your 18th birthday but I am uncertain how to use them and I fear your growth spurts due to the lineage you bear might overrule the timeline traditionally assigned to the use of wyrmborn artifacts. With Kousotsu's help you will be able to unlock each treasure and wield the knowledge within them."<i></i>

 

[Uchiha Akari]

While Reikiko's attention was initially drawn toward the chamber they had just entered, her gaze wandering along the various seals that decorated the walls, the various items that Kuro displayed before her left a mixture of feelings within her. A part of her felt excited to uncover the secrets within them, in the end people often said she had the same curiosity as a tiger whelp, but at the same time she was also a bit restless. Something told her that the moment she would intrude into the secrets that those artifacts held, that surely she would be making a decision that couldn't be reversed. It would be a decision that would have much more impact on her than she could likely even imagine. However, the conversation soon turned toward the stranger whose presence she had felt a while back.

Her father commented about the boy, a child of her age who had been adopted into the Toraono clan. Although she tended to care little about such details, in the end in her eyes the only family she had was her father, but the comparison to her mother's clarity left the child a bit curious. Who was this Naki? To think her father would praise such a young individual meant that the lad must had possessed an amazing potential that her father wanted to nurture. Still, when she heard that her father believed the boy would grow stronger than himself one day, she couldn't help but laugh heartily.

"That's impossible Papa~ In the end the task of being stronger than Papa is a task no mortal can accomplish."

The child hummed her praise with an innocent smile upon her lips, although their conversation was cut short when the subject turned back toward the existence of the Wyrmborn artifacts. The child tilted her head to the side in confusion, seemingly not entirely certain what to expect from the explanation, but in the end she inquired with a hint of hesitation.

"Kousotsu? He has been awfully silent since we entered this room. Could it be related to those artifacts?"

Stepping closer to her father the girl looked into the weathered warrior's face, as if looking for a hint of what to expect, while slowly her eyes trailed down toward the tablet. While at first the words seemed foreign to her, she could have sworn she felt Kousotsu stir within her, the Sandwyrm's presence slowly emerge as the glyph tablet's message was being translated, the masculine voice of the ancient creature whispering the words to the child. What secrets did those artifacts held, and what would the consequences be for uncovering them? It appeared that the answers to those questions would soon be revealing itself, for even as she was reading the mysterious tablet's contents she couldn't help but hear a soft ringing noise resound through her head. Something was alarming her, a warning that if she continued onward she would soon intrude upon a path of no return.

"What... does that mean Papa?"

She asked with a hint of concern as she looked at her father, waiting to see if he himself knew the contents of the tablet.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro sat down prepared to do anything to keep his daughter safe even sacrifice himself if need be. He could not read the tablet but he could sense the changes of energy within his daughter and it worried him that her powers might consume her. I honestly do not know desert blossom, I will protect you no matter what occurs as always."<i></i> Kuro hugged Reikiko close as only a father would to calm her as she looked into herself to behold the power she must control lest it control her. The fates stirred as the consequences of Kuro's love and defiance of death came full circle and again he set himself before the very fates as he summoned Hyakujuuonouu's statue into the nearby chamber to expand his senses and fuel him should he need to subjugate the very heavens to save his child.

 

[Uchiha Akari]

Secrets even her father couldn't decipher? If that wasn't a cue to get worried about the situation, then she wasn't certain what would have been. Still, it took her only a moment to notice the mysterious symbols upon the tablet started to become oddly familiar, even if she had never seen them before. Yet those weren't words, they were in fact glyph designed to keep something sealed, and while she felt her father's tender embrace, the hand that reached for the tablet would have made something remarkable happen.

The tablet itself seemed to crumble, and Kuro could have clearly felt a familiar presence being freed from within, as if a fragment of his late wife's essence had been liberated. However, at the same time it seemed Reikiko herself froze upon the spot, her body turning limp as her visage turned blurry, and soon she had entranced a state akin to a trance. She had partly expected to return to the sandy plane where she usually conversed with Kousotsu, but it was not a desert that greet her, it was the sight of a lake with the purest water she had ever seen, an oasis in the middle of a desert that seemingly stretched onward as far as the eye could see.

"Kousotsu?"

A whisper of hesitation escaped the child's lips as she gazed around for a sign of the ancient Sandwyrm, but her call was not answered by him. No, the voice that reached out to her was oddly familiar, and yet the person it belonged to seemed foreign to her at the same time.

"I'm afraid that Kousotsu won't be answering you for a bit my dear~"

Turning toward the direction the voice came from Reikiko saw a young woman clad in the attire of a shrine maiden walk up toward her, a gentle smile upon her lips. Of course the confusion about the current situation was already making her wary, but the presence of someone she had never seen before was all the more reason for her to be on her guard.

"Who... Are you?"

It was a question that was left unanswered, for the girl could only watch with distrust as the stranger approached her, and finally wrapped her arms around her in a gentle hug, one hand caressing her hair as the whisper that followed made Reikiko's eyes widen in disbelief.

"You have grown into such a pretty young lady my little Rei."

There was something about the warmth of this embrace that was familiar, as if she had experienced it within the distant past. It was familiar to the type of feeling she had when her father embraced her. That feeling of happiness and security, as if nothing in the world could threaten her while she was within their arms. But this particular warmth came from a distant memory, of when a newborn child was being gently embraced by their...

"Mama..."

Tears started to slowly roll down the girl's cheeks as she started to cling onto her mother, the soft sobs soon following as she felt the torrent of questions and feelings she had wanted to express finally surface.

"I'm so sorry Mama, because of me you---"

Yet instead of letting her finish her sentence Reikiko felt a light chop hit her head, causing a soft pained yelp to come from the girl as she looked up at the shrine maiden who shook her head. The sympathy that she expressed in her demeanor was clearly suggesting she had never blamed Reikiko for her death.

"Hush my dear, you have nothing to be blamed for. Any mother would have done all within their might to protect their child, and the fact I'm still able to see you like this has ensured I am able to pass on without any regrets. But you have come here for a reason, am I right?"

The child nodded her head gently, looking up into her mother's eyes as she whispered hesitatingly.

"Someone is trying to kill Papa... So I need to become strong enough to protect Papa!"

In the meanwhile within the chamber Kuro would have likely been able to notice that something was happening to his daughter. Her chakra had started to surge to dramatic heights, and her eyes seemed to started to twist and distort into a familiar sight for the man, in the end it was the very same Rinnegan he possessed. But perhaps more worrisome was the large monstrous entity, the ancient Sandwyrm that started to shimmer in and out of view.

"It appears that the ritual has begun, although this is one that neither of us can attend Kuro, it seems your wife was a bit selfish and demanded some private-time with her child."

Speaking almost in jest the Sandwyrm looked down upon the child when finally he spoke in a more firm tone.

"Humans are such peculiar beings... So small and fragile, and yet given the right circumstances they could topple the gods themselves..."

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro looked upon Kousotsu with a nod as he cradled Reikiko..."My first was always a fiercely strong willed woman, hopefully Reikiko takes after her in that regard. You seem to be manifesting well; are you finding your presence in the world passable? Hyakujuuonouu is only able to speak through me but you seem quite capable of using your own presence. Maybe it is because you are native to this world, all the same I must thank you for protecting Reikiko from my enemies. Your knowledge and presence has always been a boon to her despite the changes upon her body and spirit and once her growth is complete you will be bound to her in stone form, are you okay with that?"<i></i> Kuro readied his astral claw in case her powers began to go wild. Awakening the eyes of the soul was always dangerous the first time, but Reikiko had not 1 but 3 guardians she would be taken care of.

 

[Uchiha Akari]

"Hyakujuunoouu's existence is an entirely different type of existence than my own."

The Sandwyrm turned to face Kuro, the creature's eyes focusing onto the man's face as it continued its explanation.

"Although I have currently regained this form as a manifestation through the little one's chakra, I am still physically inhabiting her body. Surely you haven't forget that my physical body rests dormant within her. Therefore I will not exactly be bound to her in the same manner Hyakujuuonouu is to you. While my manifestation might change to something similar, my physical body still remains within her."

He paused for a moment, as if to let Kuro progress all this information before he started to talk once more.

"This is also why the little one's power will manifest differently than yours. While myths say a Rikkudo Sennin transfers their consciousness through the mysterious rods that serve as chakra receivers, or your own method... Reikiko's approach will be different. Instead of merely employing such crude methods I will be manifesting some of my essence into separate vessels. Although it will enable me to distribute the burden of her power through several bodies, the act of obtaining those will be less simple. We'll need to obtain certain 'donations', in the end even with my chakra and the swarm's assistance it won't be enough to properly produce a vessel for the child's essence to inhabit. But that is a concern for later..."

In the meanwhile within her trance Reikiko watched with curiosity as her mother had finally released her hold upon her, taking a step backwards while she inquired with a hint of interest.

"So it is power you desire... power to protect those you love, I should have expected such a response."

Mayumi smiled sadly at her as she turned to face the lake within the oasis, a short pause of hesitation following before she finally addressed her once more.

"The power you're reaching out for is not exactly the type most people would obtain my dear. Sealed within this chamber were several artifacts I uncovered during my life. While it's likely that your father believes they are the key to your salvation, they are something more dangerous Reikiko."

A power that could save her, yet it was also far more dangerous than she could ever imagine? Noticing the confusion in the child's expression the shrine maiden continued her explanation.

"The power that runs within your lineage is much more ancient than most people could ever comprehend. The Rinnegan is but a mere manifestation of the mystical gifts the Toraono are blessed with. To obtain the Rinnegan would be akin to ceasing to be human my child, it would make people unable to understand you, you'd become something they can't comprehend, and it's always been a part of human nature to fear the unknown."

A moment of hesitation followed, before Reikiko took a deep breath and declared confidently.

"I don't mind! Saving papa is more important to me than people disliking me!"

The response seemed to cause a sorrowful smile to linger on Mayumi's lips as she whispered in a soft tone.

"But someday you realize even the Toraono their power are limited, and that only through acceptance and understanding of each other, that by depending on one another the true power of mankind can surface, a power you'll need if you wish to truly save your father."

Although the words seemed to be barely comprehended by the child, Reikiko nodded her head lightly in acceptance of the warning while she inquired with a hint of curiosity.

"So how do I save Papa? How do I obtain this power?"

To that question Mayumi merely smiled, turning toward her child to whisper gently.

"The answer you seek is one you will need to find on your own my dear, and about the power you desire... You would merely need to look within yourself~"

Mayumi's gesture toward the lake seemed to had be a cue, for the child soon walked over to the water to gaze into the clear lake, noticing her own reflection on the surface, the Rinnegan gazing quietly back at her.

"Go now my dear, we'll talk again when the time is right for you to learn to properly wield your gift."

And with those words as a parting gift Reikiko suddenly found herself cradled in her father's arms, while the giant Sandwyrm's presence seemed to turn solid, the chakra starting to harden as his body turned into a giant statue, a pair of golden chains wrapped around its body, a sign that the child's powers were starting to manifest.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro smiled gently at Reikiko as he brushed her hair back to comfort her. "I apologize for all this my dearest. Such power is both a blessing and a curse. Since Kousotsu will aid you in your needs to keep the power from causing you harm I will help you by teaching you what I can about controlling the wrath of your inner soul and how it can expand beyond your natural self. You have taken your first steps toward your full capacity we need to make sure that you don't harm yourself as well so we will take it slow and learn how your process is different from my own."<i></i> Kuro made sure she could stand before releasing Reikiko then turning to bow before Kousotsu. Whispers of Mayumi's chakra slipped back inside Reikiko as Kousotsu's energies further melded with Reikiko's. It seemed the transition would indeed be a peaceful one.

 

[Uchiha Akari]

Although the manifestation of the Sandwyrm would have made most of the people from Sunagakure restless, the sight of the giant statue slowly dissolving into sand made the girl feel strangely comfortable, and almost instinctively she felt her hand trailing down to her stomach where it remained for a moment. Although the Sandwyrm might have chosen to take on such a form, she was certain that he was still somewhere within her. In the end, even if it was within the deepest recesses of her mind, she could still sense Kousotsu's presence. Still, her father seemed to share a similar opinion than the one her mother did: that this great power could be perceived as both a blessing or a curse. Nevertheless, despite her best efforts, the explanation about the spiritual side of her powers was a bit too complex for her to understand entirely, making the child smile sheepishly at him.

"Papa, you'll need to simplify your explanation a little, I'm not exactly a scholar."

Grinning sheepishly at the man Reikiko couldn't help but think back to the warning her mother gave her. Sometimes power wasn't enough to succeed, In fact, sometimes it didn't matter how powerful you were. Still, the presence of the Rinnegan was odd, it wasn't painful or anything, but she felt subtly different than moments ago. To describe it in greater detail, she felt a little as if she had been wrapped in warm blankets and after awakening her latent power, she had somewhat been freed from them. With such a weight off her shoulders it was clear that she felt more comfortable, but in the end she also felt her latent power surging, her chakra slowly stirring from its deep slumber.

"Can you tell me a bit more about my eyes? Although I read books about this subject before, they all mostly speak about it as if they were fables and myths."

The Rinnegan was still quite a foreign subject to her, a power she had only read about in books, a power that was often compared to the stuff from legends, so for her to actually be in possession of such a gift was something she had never expected. Sure, she knew that she was special, thanks to her lineage but not once did she think that it would make her become involved with legends.

"I feel oddly at ease, although my body is a bit stiff from the long slumber... Perhaps some exercise is in order. Do you mind sparring a bit with me, Papa? Maybe you can tell me more about this power while we practice~ There are so many questions left behind after the words you, mama and Kousotsu said."

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Akuma Kuro smiled gently as he picked up his daughter and placed her on his shoulder so she could hold on to his horns for support as he walked with her in stride toward her private sparring chamber. Built by Kaibudo and Doctor Daibatsu to allow her to exert her full power without harming herself or anyone else the room had the characteristics of both a gym and a giant vault. It was a work of art for martial artists, mystic masters and imparticular a masterwork of engineering where Reikiko could even train her tiny assistants. Once inside Kuro had his other selves monitor the area for any intruders or possible threats as this was a delicate time in Reikiko and her gradual acceptance of her potential. “First thing you will notice is that you can now sense all forms of chakra and their actual essential nature. Water, Earth, Fire, Wind, Lightning are all naturally within your grasp now. Even further you will now be able to see the chakra nature of those around you, dark, light, spiritual… even advanced chakras like ice my kinesis are easily noticed by your ever changing form. You can take over the forms of others if you were so inclined but that is the dark path. You are not cursed like me so you won’t necessarily need to kill others and take their bodies for your own because they possess some aspect of your spiritual essence within their souls. Your form especially as a wyrmborn should be pure allowing you to be able to create the vessels you need to divide your power in a manner that aids you and allows you greater control. You will be able to sense multiple things at the same time but you will quickly get used to it and adjust yourself accordingly.” <i></i>
Kuro would seat Reikiko atop stone bench before sitting on the bottom rung himself so that he may look at her as they continued to speak.


WC: 325
MFT

 

[Uchiha Akari]

Perhaps it was the fact that her father's explanation was accompanied by physical signs that Reikiko found it a lot easier to comprehend the man's explanation. The eyes of the girl, that seemingly had been gazing around restlessly as she adjusted to this new experience had now properly grown accustomed to the Rinnegan, her eyes focusing on her father, seemingly trying to confirm what he had said earlier. It took a bit of concentration but after a moment of focus, she finally started to see the subtle aura flowing around her father's muscular frame. So this was the power of the Rinnegan, to be able to perceive such details through her sight? But there seemed to be more to it than that, perhaps it was due to how her symbiotic connection to the swarm existed, but when she tried to focus on the presence of a small group of the swarm a sudden change happened. Although she was still seated on the bench, and her father was still at the center of her focus she could suddenly feel her vision shift to another perspective, that of several insects that were floating around the room. Although it might had been an amazing gift to wield on its own, the girl soon found herself growing dizzy from the sensory overload, and a gasp followed as she felt the connection forcefully break off.

"That is going to take some time getting used to..."

A hand was raised to her head as if she was attempting to lessen the strain the headache was causing her. Still, her father's words lingered for a moment, making her inquire with a hint of curiosity.

"It's reassuring to hear I think a corpse would make for a smelly and boring companion."

Smiling weakly Reikiko looked around the room for a moment, seemingly a bit curious at the various obstacles that served as a perfect training ground. But even then there was still something that lingered in the back of her mind: How would she obtain a vessel to divide her power into?

"But Papa, according to what I read those vessels that are used to divide our essence into are made possible because of certain things that dwell within a person's body? For example, some stories say that our power could even control a body that has a Kekei Gekai or similar unusual capacity. Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't the creation of a vessel demand some form of sacrifice, or donation so to speak? Even if Kousotsu can transfer my chakra into a vessel, the act of actually creating a vessel seems borderline impossible. How do you create something out of nothing?"

She pondered for a moment when finally she resumed speaking.

"I'm not sure if medical science is advanced enough to create an artificial body like that, and even then it would be a rather fragile puppet unless we imbue it with the traits of a certain individual. In that sense, while the swarm could help us obtain this 'donation' the creation of a body seems a bit beyond my capacity..."

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro smiled for a moment as he explained without laughing or giggling... "Darling, with medical jutsu and the engineering feats of Doctor Daibatsu, not to mention the genetic samples our clan has acquired over the years we can clone a body in about 3 weeks seeded with your base DNA then altered with precursors from the genetic samples available. I will show you how to use this method instead of hunting and killing others. All you need to do is simply observe or research a capacity you believe is compatible with you and then we can create it.”<i></i>

What Kuro explained was that she would not have to become a killer to master her abilities like he had.
Kuro contacted Doctor Daibatsu with a touch to a seal upon the wall and a crystal screen flickered to life with the samurai turned engineer standing amidst some equipment. “Daibatsu here Lord Toraono, did you want to set up a training scenario?”

A series of dials, chakra crystals and various types of machina and equipment were in view in the background. The man seemed to be completely at ease with tools and systematic clutter as it were.

 

[Uchiha Akari]

So it seemed that they would be able to create suitable vessels for her in roughly a month of time? Now that sounded like a feat worthwhile of being called medical ingenuity, or perhaps the term 'magic' might have been more suitable. Still, when her father mentioned the term 'clone' the girl's eyes widened in disbelief as she spoke with flailing hands as if she was trying to deny the suggestion.

"Wait wait wait! Are you saying they would exactly like me? And here I thought I was about to get some beautiful ladies made as my vessels, like a female version of the Papa Team! But instead, I'm going to be stuck with a childish-looking academy class? That's quite a disappointing use of my power..."

The girl pouted in annoyance but when her father touched a seal on the wall and the doctor revealed himself Reikiko quickly added "Dai-hakase! If Papa ever orders a clone of me, please turn it into a pretty lady! there is only room for one pint-sized me in the dojo!"

A soft cough followed as she straightened herself, seemingly wanting to make it clear she was waiting to see what her father would be doing next.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Both Kuro and Toa laughed heartily as Kuro nodded to Dr. Daibatsu to explain...
Doctor Daibatsu Toa then proceeded to give Reikiko a virtual tour of the chambers he and Kuro used to maintain and repair his multiple forms. They had discovered they could clone a full body quite by accident while they were investigating their capacity to clone organs after using the gestation chambers to repair Kyojin Kuro's flesh after suffering severe burns over 60% of his body. The chamber instead of just creating flesh to graft as originally purposed had used the high chakra content of the carmot installed as a secondary power source to create a second body. It held together for 4 weeks before dispersing into basic genetic components.

Dr. Toa showed Reikiko his medical processing chamber after moving the scrying crystal to the center of the underground bunker like chambers and having the other clinic personnel stand back. Dr. Toa activated a floor seal which signaled the usage of a soft white light that illuminated the chamber to show nearly identical service/gestation chambers in the form of a dozen cylinders filled with immersive fluids. Inside four of these cylinders were literal clones of Toraono Kuro. As Dr. Daibatsu Toa Kuro's house surgeon and engineer approached another chamber with a healthy smile and a nod towards Reikiko he showed her a clone of her Aunt Seika, she was still growing but appeared to be in her early teens about her face, around Reikiko's age but with a vastly different level of physical maturity. Despite the amount of scientific apparatus and achievements occurring in the fifty by fifty feet chamber, the atmosphere was cheerful with only a slight edge of seriousness. There were bodies of other likenesses in 3 other cylinders but their features were not discernible.

"Young Princess, I would like to introduce you to Teika, a test clone of your Aunt Seika. She has your Aunt's fighting and healing capacity but not her spirit or secondary abilities... she does not have any of Seika's living memories or scars but she does contain her genetic potential and genetic memory as it were which allows for combat instincts to occur."<i></i>

Daibatsu Toa

Spoiler

Age: 526
Wt: 200
Ht: 5 ft 10 in
Hair: Blood Red

Job: Toraono Clan Engineer/ Surgeon/Weaponsmith
Specialty: Ghola Technology, Prosthetics

Doctor Daibatsu Toa was a great many things during the Demon wars he had been a samurai of little renown with somewhat impressive fighting skills. He had earned the title of battlesmith for the weapons he forged and his knowledge of how to use them. When he met Toraono Kaibudo, “Kai” as he was called then he found himself in awe of the man’s skill. Kai rarely used a weapon other than his own body except to teach. It was during the many battles waged alongside Kai that Daibatsu Toa found his greatest of foes. An Uchiha named Susamajii. The dark haired warmaster had vast power and wielded flames, lightning, and a sword like no other. While Kai held off the Oni army this dark warrior led Toa took him on in single combat. Simply put Toa was the only one fast enough with a blade to take him on as Susamajii had already bested Kai in three prior battles using illusions and explosive flames and thunderbolts to fling the famous taijutsu master all over the battlefield. Kai could never get close enough to lay a single blow and Uchiha Susamajii would never allow that either for he had seen how powerful Kaibudo’s strikes truly were. He underestimated Toa however as he believed him to be a simple swordsman.

The private battle that ensued between these sword masters had been the stuff of legends but no one had seen anything except the terribly burnt body of Toa and the captured head of Susamajii. Toa took the eyes from his foe and preserved them using a special mixture made from the sacred waters of Waterfall country harvested from the bowels of the Koubaku Kyousei ‘Great Tree’ and the blood of the fallen warrior. It was said that the warrior whom took the eyes of Susamajii would live a thousand years. Toa had believed he would be that immortal warrior but his body had been severely crippled from the black flames the Master Uchiha swordsman had unleashed upon him and as such had instead sealed them away in a vault beneath the coliseum that Kai called home. Forgotten and immersed in ancient powerful fluids the eyes remained eternally preserved and grew in power. It took almost three hundred years but after Toa’s mastery of armor, weapons, and later chakra allowed him to rebuild his body using an expansive fusion of puppet technology and human flesh he attained a different form of immortality.

Doctor Daibatsu Toa was born into a long forgotten samurai clan long ago. As time went on he discovered a great many things. He won more battles than he lost but when he did lose he lost limbs or the full function of vital organs. He quite literally stumbled into his own form of immortality while being treated by a witch after he literally fell unto one of her soul gems. The gem transferred a significant amount of his life force into it but instead of killing him it bonded to his body. Crippled by his battles he could no longer tread the battlefield in a normal samurai manner despite his recovery so he took up the study of weaponry. He forged masterpiece weapons using his clan's knowledge and techniques picked up throughout his travels.

He took apprenticeship under many masters learning all he could as they aged and passed on while he did not. This carried on until a puppet master from Sunagakure decided to train him in hopes of learning Toa's secret to immortality. After a few years of study they both discovered that Toa was no longer truly alive his body was simply kept alive and unaging by his internal will and the residual energies of the soul gem that the witch had left bonded to his heart. Satisfied that she had solved the mystery of eternal youth in her eyes, they delved into prosthetic replacements, bio engineering, and medical enhancements. As she grew older Lady Reiko realized she couldn't replicate the soul gem but she could place all of her vital functions into a similar chakra crystal and become a living puppet. After performing various surgeries upon Toa over the course of their studies their combined efforts ended up granting him the full use and superior enhancement of his right arm and both legs. In an epic feat of fusion between medicine, bio engineering, and puppetry, they had discovered two paths to immortality. Lady Reiko performed a full spirit and vital organs transplant into a puppet body that would have failed if Toa hadn't used his advanced knowledge of surgery and mysticism to make sure certain elements were applied and that the transference was seamless.

No one even noticed she was in a puppet body due to her false yet living skin. For one hundred and thirty years they worked together discovering all manner of medical, spiritual, and chakra applications for physical amplifications and weapons. They retraced old maps and while searching an ancient city found the remains of rebuilt human and ancient transplants or ghola. Living weapons after a fashion, while studying them one of the guardian gholems reactivated and severely damaged Reiko. Her immortality, like Toa's only prevented her from dying of disease or age but not trauma. Toa fought frantically to save her even to the point of unleashing weapons he had experimentally installed in his puppet limb. He defeated the Golem but he had not been able to save her. Reiko smiled happily, she had found out so much in her extended life. Toa vowed to finish her work. Two hundred years later Doctor Toa is still researching ancient and current technologies and even has a child of his own named Reiko.

As Dr. Daibatsu finished the virtual tour of the Toraono Clan's advanced medical chambers. He had detailed notes about the Rinnegan and various manners in which it came about. He was overly content that Lady Reikiko would follow in Kuro's footsteps skill set wise.

Dr. Toa had all his prosthetics, carefully and painstakingly placed inside his regrown fully living flesh although he had no heartbeat, nor did he need to breathe directly through his nose or mouth. His flesh was maintained by a special nutrient feed system from his endoskeletal system. It was obvious to someone graced with high perception like the rinnegan, sharingan, or byakugan that half his body was unnatural because of the ninja wire and chakra lines that interlaced his right side. What gave it away the most was the massive scar down his back and the way he smelled like an old man but had the look of an adult in his prime. The final giveaway was the loose grip in which he held the hilt of his ancient steel blade which only could have been made in the old country. He carried himself like a samurai, but his eyes and permanently manicured features gave away the mark of something inhuman.

"The virtual age of your avatars are for you to determine. Our facilities are well vested, as a Grand Master Puppeteer, Master Engineer, Prosthetic Surgeon, and bio reconstruction specialist for the Toraono Clan. I have acquired extensive knowledge about battle sages. As Kuro's daughter unlocking your sage potential will be quite an endeavour. What you must know is that your soul isn't singular, it has the capacity of six normal beings. You are also capable of taking the bodies of others as your own and using their genetic potential as your own. Last but not least this normally requires you to kill, but we have found ways around that since Kuro unlocked his potential on his own. Driven by instinct and power he found his suitors or they found him and he took them as components to be a part of him. We have however discovered a method of creating vessels so that Kuro does not have to hunt down candidates and kill them instead we only need to use your own methods to empowered. You will need to research and gather the genetic potential however but that can be explained later for now please listen to Master Kuro.”

Kuro smiled as he nodded to Reikiko while he explained... "As you master your potential, you will come to understand that you are capable of seemingly impossible things. Your eyes will change to reflect the potential within you. The clones will take on the features you impart to them although their genetic capacities will differ. It would not hurt to have an exact copy of yourself with different abilities so as to throw off your enemies and occasionally your friends as well ."<i></i>