Arata hadn't done much fighting in the last room, but Kiyori had, and he could see it on the girl's face. He saw it on her face even before the tears began to flow. The man hardly said a word to her as he'd gone to her and lifted her from the ground, carrying her in his arms as he moved out of the room with the corpse of that wretched and cruel beast. If the woman tried to protest being carried, Arata wouldn't have listened. No he did it anyway, moving into the next room and down a hallway as he followed the smell of clean air. He couldn't go far he knew, knowing they would likely come across some fiend again soon enough. But he knew they couldn't stay too near that thing either, the smell would draw other predators.
He found a small room with a single entrance, just off a hallway that seemed to go on forever, and there he sat Kiyori down against a wall. Building a fire wouldn't happen, and the room was cold, but it seemed to be a good place to rest. He only left her alone for a few moments, finding debris and the like nearby so he could set it up in the doorway. Just a small stack of things, so if something tried to sneak up on them it would knock them over and alert the pair within. Standing guard wouldn't be much of an option, not in the condition he could see Kiyori was in.
The next several hours he spent beside her, holding her head against his chest if she'd let him, both sleeping if they let themselves. It was probably a full day with Arata asking no questions, and letting the girl speak of what she saw, if she chose to tell him. But after some time, and he felt the two had rested enough, he finally asked the simple question. "Are you ready to get moving again?" he whispered to her. "I'm feeling stronger, we've rested, I think it's time."
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Between the overwhelming feelings of fear, anger and despair that filled her mind and the physical toll her most powerful attack had taken on her when dealing with the spider-female hybrid creature, Kiyori was practically incapable of doing anything. It took everything she had to support her weight as she sat on her hands and knees, panting and sweating, tears still rolling down her face as she came to grips with what had just transpired. If Arata had asked her what had happened over the past 30 seconds, she wouldn't have been able to answer him; she saw red and nothing else, and when she came to she was where she sat now.
She wasn't sure if it was the mental or physical stress, or perhaps the combination of the two, but she didn't remain conscious much longer. Her eyes rolled back and her body fell fully to the ground, so naturally Arata would have no choice but to carry her. While her mind recuperated, she dreamed of Emi... Not just her memories of her, but various fantasies of her as well. Holding hands with her as they walked through the village, kissing her, hugging her... things she would never experience again. Dreams turned to nightmares, happiness and joy were replaced with sorrow and anger, Emi's visage in her dreams was replaced with that gruesome image of her zombified corpse.
She had done all she could to live on, for Emi's sake... but it wasn't until now that she realized just how hard that was to do. Part of her wanted to die, to be one with her lover in the sun's radiant light once again. A burning fire of rage and hate swelled within her as all of these thoughts and feelings and realizations swam around within her mind. She had no idea how long it had been, but when she awoke with a start she realized she was once more surrounded by darkness. Was she dead? No, she couldn't be dead down here in this profane darkness! Her body would never rejoin with Her Light, she would be cut off from her afterlife... cut off from Emi... forever.
Wait, no... she was touching something warm... Someone warm. Arata. It was then she heard his voice, as if he had realized she had come around. A single hand reached up and gripped at his shirt; she just wanted to hold something, to feel it. There were a hundred things she wanted to say to him; to explain what had happened. To explain what she saw, and why she reacted the way she had. But whether she had simply gone numb or didn't want to talk about it, even she couldn't really say. The girl gently pushed herself off of Arata and formed a few hand seals in the darkness before forming another small orb of flame to hover over her head. The flame would illuminate the room and chase away the darkness of the room... but not the darkness within her.
If Arata bothered to look closely, he'd notice the blank, almost zombie-like stare emanating from Kiyori's dull, black eyes. Her Dousatsugan wasn't active yet, adding to the eerie look of her blank face. That didn't last long of course, as soon the two red rings of the Dousatsugan expanded out from the center of her eye, signifying that it was once again active, though her face and look remained unchanged. "Yes. Lets go." Was all she would speak in response before making her way to the exit.
She wasn't sure if it was the mental or physical stress, or perhaps the combination of the two, but she didn't remain conscious much longer. Her eyes rolled back and her body fell fully to the ground, so naturally Arata would have no choice but to carry her. While her mind recuperated, she dreamed of Emi... Not just her memories of her, but various fantasies of her as well. Holding hands with her as they walked through the village, kissing her, hugging her... things she would never experience again. Dreams turned to nightmares, happiness and joy were replaced with sorrow and anger, Emi's visage in her dreams was replaced with that gruesome image of her zombified corpse.
She had done all she could to live on, for Emi's sake... but it wasn't until now that she realized just how hard that was to do. Part of her wanted to die, to be one with her lover in the sun's radiant light once again. A burning fire of rage and hate swelled within her as all of these thoughts and feelings and realizations swam around within her mind. She had no idea how long it had been, but when she awoke with a start she realized she was once more surrounded by darkness. Was she dead? No, she couldn't be dead down here in this profane darkness! Her body would never rejoin with Her Light, she would be cut off from her afterlife... cut off from Emi... forever.
Wait, no... she was touching something warm... Someone warm. Arata. It was then she heard his voice, as if he had realized she had come around. A single hand reached up and gripped at his shirt; she just wanted to hold something, to feel it. There were a hundred things she wanted to say to him; to explain what had happened. To explain what she saw, and why she reacted the way she had. But whether she had simply gone numb or didn't want to talk about it, even she couldn't really say. The girl gently pushed herself off of Arata and formed a few hand seals in the darkness before forming another small orb of flame to hover over her head. The flame would illuminate the room and chase away the darkness of the room... but not the darkness within her.
If Arata bothered to look closely, he'd notice the blank, almost zombie-like stare emanating from Kiyori's dull, black eyes. Her Dousatsugan wasn't active yet, adding to the eerie look of her blank face. That didn't last long of course, as soon the two red rings of the Dousatsugan expanded out from the center of her eye, signifying that it was once again active, though her face and look remained unchanged. "Yes. Lets go." Was all she would speak in response before making her way to the exit.
jutsu usedShow
Katon • Portable Torch
D-Rank Ninjutsu
A variation of the Torch technique, Kiyori performs a series of hand seals and exhales a small jet of flame from her mouth. This flame condenses into a ball of flame that hovers above her head, lighting up a 5 meter area in all directions for 5 posts before fading away. The ball of flame will follow her around, allowing her to scout out dark areas.
D-Rank Ninjutsu
A variation of the Torch technique, Kiyori performs a series of hand seals and exhales a small jet of flame from her mouth. This flame condenses into a ball of flame that hovers above her head, lighting up a 5 meter area in all directions for 5 posts before fading away. The ball of flame will follow her around, allowing her to scout out dark areas.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Arata didn't say a word as she gripped at him, he simply waited to see what the girl would say or do. He could almost feel her desire to say something as she gripped his clothes, but the words never came. Eventually she let go and formed her seals for their light. In all honesty it brought a small smile to the man's face, seeing her act more like herself again, even if it was just a small jutsu. Yet at the same time that smile vanished as he saw the look in her eyes, if anything it was a dead, empty look that reminded him of himself, back when he lost his sister.
He stood and walked over to her, putting an arm around her and pulling her close again, assuming she wouldn't stop him. He leaned down enough to kiss her on top of the head. "I don't know who it was, but they would never want you to give up." he whispered to her, his breath stirring her hair briefly a she spoke. He had no idea who it was she had seen, who she had lost, but even he knew that look well enough to realize that there had indeed been someone once, and that Kiyori had lost them in some tragic way.
He released her after a moment, his mind turning back to their task of survival, before he took her by the hand and began to lead the way out of that little room and further through the ruin. The hallways were dark and their little light did so little to help them, still they tripped from time to time, but up ahead they began to see another light. They were suddenly awash with it as they stepped out into a cavernous space. It was as if there was sunlight, they could hear birds singing as they flew by, and it looked as if they had just stepped into a garden.
"Is it another genjutsu?" He mused aloud as he looked around. The surrounding architecture was beautiful, washed white in the light and the flowers were full of color. As Arata stared at everything around them, he heard a voice that caused a sinking feeling in his gut.
"Will you fail this one too, brother?"
Arata seemed to stop in his tracks, frozen, as he glanced around frantically for the source of the voice.
He stood and walked over to her, putting an arm around her and pulling her close again, assuming she wouldn't stop him. He leaned down enough to kiss her on top of the head. "I don't know who it was, but they would never want you to give up." he whispered to her, his breath stirring her hair briefly a she spoke. He had no idea who it was she had seen, who she had lost, but even he knew that look well enough to realize that there had indeed been someone once, and that Kiyori had lost them in some tragic way.
He released her after a moment, his mind turning back to their task of survival, before he took her by the hand and began to lead the way out of that little room and further through the ruin. The hallways were dark and their little light did so little to help them, still they tripped from time to time, but up ahead they began to see another light. They were suddenly awash with it as they stepped out into a cavernous space. It was as if there was sunlight, they could hear birds singing as they flew by, and it looked as if they had just stepped into a garden.
"Is it another genjutsu?" He mused aloud as he looked around. The surrounding architecture was beautiful, washed white in the light and the flowers were full of color. As Arata stared at everything around them, he heard a voice that caused a sinking feeling in his gut.
"Will you fail this one too, brother?"
Arata seemed to stop in his tracks, frozen, as he glanced around frantically for the source of the voice.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori didn't react at all as Arata pulled her into him, nor did she react as he kissed her forehead. But when he spoke of Emi, she would pull her head back enough that she could see his face and vice versa. Her eyes honed in on his, and the smallest, most bitter smile Arata had ever seen crossed her face. She would free her arms and perform a series of hand seals, closing her eyes for a moment as a single tear went down one cheek. In order to do this jutsu, she had to recall the memories in question... which meant more thinking of her.
Then, placing both of her hands on Arata's temples, she would release the chakra into his head and stare deep into his eyes. In a moment, Arata would see a slideshow of sorts; various scenes and images flashing inside his mind. They were all from Kiyori's perpective, and all involved the same woman. She had blue hair, crystalline turquoise skin, and the most wonderful smile. They held hands, they hugged, they ate and laughed together, they kissed... they told each other they loved them. Then a scene of training played, both women holding tanto daggers. There was a series of slashes here and there, and then one of Kiyori's hit home... sinking deep into blue haired girl's stomach. Blood everywhere, no one else in sight to help. She watched as the light left the blue haired girl's eyes, leaving Kiyori with the traumatizing memory that has haunted her for years... Those hollow, dark eyes staring up at her as her soul left this world.
A single name hung in Arata's mind as he saw all of these memories play out; Kouseki, Emi.
Kiyori pulled her hands away from Arata's head, taking a step back as she let the slideshow of her memories sink in to Arata's soul. And then, giving him another small smile, she turned and headed down the halls, the ball of light following her. Eventually, the two would reach what appeared to be... sunlight. birds, a garden... life. But Kiyori knew better. This wasn't real. There was no way.
"Wind Country is not home to gardens as lush as this. Nor is it home to songbirds. This isn't real." Her voice still sounded somewhat hollow, she was clearly still dwelling on those memories of Emi. Still, she had to relay the info to her partner if they wanted to escape this darkness... But there was a nagging question in the back of her head.
Why bother? What did she have waiting for her out there? Maybe she should just die.
Then, placing both of her hands on Arata's temples, she would release the chakra into his head and stare deep into his eyes. In a moment, Arata would see a slideshow of sorts; various scenes and images flashing inside his mind. They were all from Kiyori's perpective, and all involved the same woman. She had blue hair, crystalline turquoise skin, and the most wonderful smile. They held hands, they hugged, they ate and laughed together, they kissed... they told each other they loved them. Then a scene of training played, both women holding tanto daggers. There was a series of slashes here and there, and then one of Kiyori's hit home... sinking deep into blue haired girl's stomach. Blood everywhere, no one else in sight to help. She watched as the light left the blue haired girl's eyes, leaving Kiyori with the traumatizing memory that has haunted her for years... Those hollow, dark eyes staring up at her as her soul left this world.
A single name hung in Arata's mind as he saw all of these memories play out; Kouseki, Emi.
Kiyori pulled her hands away from Arata's head, taking a step back as she let the slideshow of her memories sink in to Arata's soul. And then, giving him another small smile, she turned and headed down the halls, the ball of light following her. Eventually, the two would reach what appeared to be... sunlight. birds, a garden... life. But Kiyori knew better. This wasn't real. There was no way.
"Wind Country is not home to gardens as lush as this. Nor is it home to songbirds. This isn't real." Her voice still sounded somewhat hollow, she was clearly still dwelling on those memories of Emi. Still, she had to relay the info to her partner if they wanted to escape this darkness... But there was a nagging question in the back of her head.
Why bother? What did she have waiting for her out there? Maybe she should just die.
Jutsu UsedShow
~Dosatsugan - Recall - Implantation
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
While the Dosatsugan is active, the Henrin will perform a series of hand seals before laying both their hands upon a persons head. They will then proceed to lock eyes with them as they implant a memory of their choosing into the target from their own mind. This memory implantation is temporary but it allows the Henrin to share information with another person more easily. While the person won't recall all the exact details like the Henrin would(unless they are a Henrin), they can interpret the majority of the information transmitted into their brain. This implanted memory will only last for 2 posts before it fades from the recipients mind.
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
While the Dosatsugan is active, the Henrin will perform a series of hand seals before laying both their hands upon a persons head. They will then proceed to lock eyes with them as they implant a memory of their choosing into the target from their own mind. This memory implantation is temporary but it allows the Henrin to share information with another person more easily. While the person won't recall all the exact details like the Henrin would(unless they are a Henrin), they can interpret the majority of the information transmitted into their brain. This implanted memory will only last for 2 posts before it fades from the recipients mind.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Arata was so stunned by what Kiyori had showed him that the man stood frozen for several moments, almost losing himself in the moment before he realized Kiyori and their light had continued on without him. He caught up, still trying to process what was happening even as they came upon what he thought had to be a genjutsu. But he reached out a hand and touched the cold stone, shaking his head as he tried to shake off that voice. "The stone feels real." he remarked quietly as he turned to look at Kiyori and visibly flinched at what he saw.
Arata stumbled back against that white marble wall as he could swear there was a dark haired woman standing beside Kiyori and Arata felt his heart race, almost as if he was going to pass out. "Will you fail this one too?" His sister, Akemi, asked him again, reaching out to touch Kiyori's hair though it was clear Kiyori herself couldn't see the woman. All she would feel was the sensation of touch as her hair was moved by an unseen force.
The vision walked around Kiyori and moved to the edge where the wall stopped, a high doorway. "Would you like to see, what use you really are, brother?" she asked coldly as she went around the corner and seemed to disappear.
Arata's breathing had gone rapid, the man sweating profusely as he looked at Kiyori and swallowed hard. "I saw..." He stared at her a moment as he trailed off and shook his head, gulping hard as if he were fighting tears as his head dipped to look at his own feet. "I lost someone once too, Kiyori... and I swear she's in this place..." He told her before turning for the doorway himself.
"I have to see what this means...."
Arata stumbled back against that white marble wall as he could swear there was a dark haired woman standing beside Kiyori and Arata felt his heart race, almost as if he was going to pass out. "Will you fail this one too?" His sister, Akemi, asked him again, reaching out to touch Kiyori's hair though it was clear Kiyori herself couldn't see the woman. All she would feel was the sensation of touch as her hair was moved by an unseen force.
The vision walked around Kiyori and moved to the edge where the wall stopped, a high doorway. "Would you like to see, what use you really are, brother?" she asked coldly as she went around the corner and seemed to disappear.
Arata's breathing had gone rapid, the man sweating profusely as he looked at Kiyori and swallowed hard. "I saw..." He stared at her a moment as he trailed off and shook his head, gulping hard as if he were fighting tears as his head dipped to look at his own feet. "I lost someone once too, Kiyori... and I swear she's in this place..." He told her before turning for the doorway himself.
"I have to see what this means...."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori continued to examine the garden around them; feeling the stones, inhaling the clean air, feeling the warmth of the sunlight against her skin, hearing the chirping of the birds... Arata was right, it felt incredibly real. But she refused to believe it was real; if this place could invade her mind and conjure up a personal demon like what she saw from that spider-creature, it could do anything. She suddenly felt her hair move a bit, and when she quickly turned to identify the source she saw nothing but air. However, it seemed Arata saw more than she did.
"Arata... You have to remember what I saw, how I acted. It's not real, it can't be real. Not in this place." He moved towards the doorway regardless of her words, but all she would do is shrug in response. "That doorway seems to be the only way forward anyway... Let's move forward." Arata likely didn't know a thing about Kiyori, except maybe a things he had seen or heard in passing, but even he could likely realize that she was usually such a happy and chipper woman. To see her so dead inside, so emotionless, so empty... anyone who knew her wouldn't recognize her. Hell, she probably wouldn't have recognized herself.
She walked forward, almost like she was in a trance, and followed Arata through the doorway.
"Arata... You have to remember what I saw, how I acted. It's not real, it can't be real. Not in this place." He moved towards the doorway regardless of her words, but all she would do is shrug in response. "That doorway seems to be the only way forward anyway... Let's move forward." Arata likely didn't know a thing about Kiyori, except maybe a things he had seen or heard in passing, but even he could likely realize that she was usually such a happy and chipper woman. To see her so dead inside, so emotionless, so empty... anyone who knew her wouldn't recognize her. Hell, she probably wouldn't have recognized herself.
She walked forward, almost like she was in a trance, and followed Arata through the doorway.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
As Arata came around the corner, he didn't see his sister anywhere. He came upon a great wall of vines suddenly in front of his face, and an option to go left or right. He stood there with tears streaming silently down his face as he tried to figure out where to go before turning to look at Kiyori. He remembered now what he had been about to say before his sister's seeming ghost had appeared, but he couldn't bring the words to his lips now. In the moment now he was too wrapped up on his own pain now to try and tell the girl to press on.
After a moment of seeming to just stare at her, Arata stepped forward and slipped a hand behind Kiyori's head, pulling her against his chest and kissing her on the forehead. "I know your pain." he told her quietly. "My little sister was only a year younger than me." he continued, pausing as he looked down into Kiyori's eyes. "We were ambushed on mission... and as I tried to take out our enemies she took a step into the path of my blade... she died in my arms. She died bloody, and with no medic to help her." He swallowed hard as he took a step back and turned back towards that wall of vines, choosing the path to the right. "Turns out the village knew ambush was one of their preferred tactics, before we went on that mission... the village as good as killed her by not giving us all the information, and they used my own blade to do it..." He reached into his kimono and withdrew a silver flask, taking a quick swig against his better judgment before putting it away. "Now you know." he muttered as he walked.
"We need to keep moving, Kiyori, if only to get away from these ghosts that keep playing with our heads." Turning the corner he found a straight corridor of vines ahead of him, with at least four turns on either side for a total of eight options for new directions to go.
After a moment of seeming to just stare at her, Arata stepped forward and slipped a hand behind Kiyori's head, pulling her against his chest and kissing her on the forehead. "I know your pain." he told her quietly. "My little sister was only a year younger than me." he continued, pausing as he looked down into Kiyori's eyes. "We were ambushed on mission... and as I tried to take out our enemies she took a step into the path of my blade... she died in my arms. She died bloody, and with no medic to help her." He swallowed hard as he took a step back and turned back towards that wall of vines, choosing the path to the right. "Turns out the village knew ambush was one of their preferred tactics, before we went on that mission... the village as good as killed her by not giving us all the information, and they used my own blade to do it..." He reached into his kimono and withdrew a silver flask, taking a quick swig against his better judgment before putting it away. "Now you know." he muttered as he walked.
"We need to keep moving, Kiyori, if only to get away from these ghosts that keep playing with our heads." Turning the corner he found a straight corridor of vines ahead of him, with at least four turns on either side for a total of eight options for new directions to go.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori allowed herself to be brought into Arata's chest, realizing that he was feeling just as much hurt as she was right now as he explained what he had seen, and what fate had befallen his sister. They were strangers to each other, but they had the same pain... It was a morbid thing to bond over, but Kiyori couldn't ignore the connection. Her hand drifted up and rested against the man's chest as he vented his sorrow, and even she couldn't chide him for taking a swig of what she could only assume was smuggled alcohol as he walked away.
She was speechless really, she couldn't think of anything to say in response to what he had just done revealed to her. It seemed she wouldn't have to though, as he was clearly intent on leaving this place as quickly as possible. She could agree with the sentiment, giving a nod and following behind the man as he ran into the myriad of options to move forward. "Of course... Things couldn't be simple for once, could they? This place has a mind of it's own I swear, it's making things difficult for us on purpose. Haaa...." She let out a long sigh as she weighed their options, realizing the best option was probably to check each path in order.
"Let's start with the right side, checking these corridors to see if they lead out of here. One of these paths has to be right, so let's start guessing." With that, Kiyori would motion towards the first hall on the right, letting Arata take the helm as she followed close behind so her torch would keep the way lit.
She was speechless really, she couldn't think of anything to say in response to what he had just done revealed to her. It seemed she wouldn't have to though, as he was clearly intent on leaving this place as quickly as possible. She could agree with the sentiment, giving a nod and following behind the man as he ran into the myriad of options to move forward. "Of course... Things couldn't be simple for once, could they? This place has a mind of it's own I swear, it's making things difficult for us on purpose. Haaa...." She let out a long sigh as she weighed their options, realizing the best option was probably to check each path in order.
"Let's start with the right side, checking these corridors to see if they lead out of here. One of these paths has to be right, so let's start guessing." With that, Kiyori would motion towards the first hall on the right, letting Arata take the helm as she followed close behind so her torch would keep the way lit.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
If Arata had known anything about spirits at the time, he might have begun to put the pieces together as Kiyori spoke of the place having a 'mind of its own'. But the man knew so little of spirits and such things that his mind didn't put the information together, and he didn't really have a chance to either. They turned one corner and began making their way down the vined corridor only to have something suddenly spring up in front of them. As Arata tried to get a good look at it, his mind went to Kiyori and he suddenly spun and grabbed the girl, wrapping his arms around her as tendrils lashed out and sliced open the flesh of his back. He screamed in pain and hit his knees, likely pulling Kiyori down beneath him. Yet as he sat on his hands and knees, panting, he turned to realize the 'creature' was gone, and in its place was his sister.
And this time he wasn't the only one who would be able to see it, Kiyori would too. The raven-haired woman was a beauty with vibrant purple eyes he stared at Arata a moment. "Why didn't you try so hard for me?" she asked of him morbidly, before she suddenly doubled over in pain and screamed.
Arata spun around, releasing Kiyori to go to his sister, not even registering in his mind yet that the wounds that had driven him to the ground a moment ago were gone and never actually existed. No all he knew was he ran to grab his sister as she screamed and he tried to take her in his arms, blood staining his hands and arms.
"...Arata?" she questioned weakly as she looked up at him, eyes begging to know why he had done this to her before she fell to the ground and disappeared almost as if she had never been there in the first place.
And yet there stood Arata with blood still staining his hands and arms, blood that wasn't his, as he screamed in agony and tears streamed down his face.
And this time he wasn't the only one who would be able to see it, Kiyori would too. The raven-haired woman was a beauty with vibrant purple eyes he stared at Arata a moment. "Why didn't you try so hard for me?" she asked of him morbidly, before she suddenly doubled over in pain and screamed.
Arata spun around, releasing Kiyori to go to his sister, not even registering in his mind yet that the wounds that had driven him to the ground a moment ago were gone and never actually existed. No all he knew was he ran to grab his sister as she screamed and he tried to take her in his arms, blood staining his hands and arms.
"...Arata?" she questioned weakly as she looked up at him, eyes begging to know why he had done this to her before she fell to the ground and disappeared almost as if she had never been there in the first place.
And yet there stood Arata with blood still staining his hands and arms, blood that wasn't his, as he screamed in agony and tears streamed down his face.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori had little time to react to the sudden grab of Arata, letting out little more then a 'meep!' as he protected her from something unseen. She tried to fight free from his grasp after the fact so that she could fight whatever was attacking them, but instead of attacking the thing, she stood and looked in wonder... it was a female. A Suna Shinobi at that. But something was off still, it was as though the girl wasn't truly here, but somewhere else entirely. She felt more like a memory then a living, breathing thing. She suddenly fell over and screamed, as if in pain, and Arata released Kiyori to go for the girl.
As he turned his back to her, she saw no wounds on his back... not even tears in his clothing. It had all been a trick? This place was no longer scaring her; it was pissing her right off. It didn't take much for her to figure out what was going on here. This was a memory; The memory of his sister's death. The blood still stained his arms as the woman faded away, and the scream prompted her to wrap her arms around his in what appeared to be a "hug" but was more a method of restraint so he didn't do anything rash.
"It's only a memory Arata, it can't hurt you anymore! You have to fight it, come back to reality!"
As he turned his back to her, she saw no wounds on his back... not even tears in his clothing. It had all been a trick? This place was no longer scaring her; it was pissing her right off. It didn't take much for her to figure out what was going on here. This was a memory; The memory of his sister's death. The blood still stained his arms as the woman faded away, and the scream prompted her to wrap her arms around his in what appeared to be a "hug" but was more a method of restraint so he didn't do anything rash.
"It's only a memory Arata, it can't hurt you anymore! You have to fight it, come back to reality!"
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Tears streamed down his face, hands on his head as he sobbed and rocked back and forth. His sister's shape faded and disappeared but that despair and pain remained. For a moment he didn't react to Kiyori's touch, but as she spoke he suddenly shook his head and pulled himself free of her grasp, stumbling away a moment before he fell to his knees again and looked at her. "No!" he told her emphatically. "This IS my reality!" He sobbed, fighting to get his breath back as his memories of that day ran through his mind once more and he fell forward on his hands and knees now as he shook his head.
"It was my fault." he whispered to the ground, his throat sore even as he cried again. "We were fighting and I thought it was the enemy behind me but I turned and... it was her... it was too late though..." he shook his head and looked up at Kiyori. "It was a gen they used to trick me, by time I knew it was too late... her blood was on my blade..."
"It should have been me..."
"It was my fault." he whispered to the ground, his throat sore even as he cried again. "We were fighting and I thought it was the enemy behind me but I turned and... it was her... it was too late though..." he shook his head and looked up at Kiyori. "It was a gen they used to trick me, by time I knew it was too late... her blood was on my blade..."
"It should have been me..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori yelped as Arata broke free from her grasp, tumbling to the ground a sobbing mess as he explained what really happened the day his sister died. Her heart went out to him, it was all she could do to not cry alongside him... And it was then that she realized there was only one thing that she could say or do to help. She had almost completely turned her back on her religion, but it was in that very religion that she would find the answer to Arata's pain. "Arata, you can't blame yourself forever. Anyone would have fallen prey to such a genjutsu, even me. It's not fair to yourself"
She sat on the ground next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder tenderly before continuing. "I know you may find this foolish or crazy or childish... But I think your sister forgives you. She is a part of Her Light now, she has no pain, no sorrow... But I like to think that those who become part of Her Light watch over us from above. And I think your sister's heart aches, just as yours does, though not for the same reasons. I think she aches because of how hard you are on yourself. Because you can't forgive yourself."
She paused a moment, letting her words sink in as best as they could before she continued, her hand rubbing his shoulder lightly as she spoke. "If you allow yourself to dwell on that pain forever, it'll eventually drive you mad. Depression will set in, then survivor's guilt, and then..." She didn't want to think about the end result of all of that pain and suffering. "The point is, you have to be able to forgive yourself. Think of your sister, think of what she would want. It's the same thing I have to tell myself every day regarding Emi..." She instinctually began playing with her Ruby Flame necklace as she spoke of her later girlfriend, a sort of tick of hers.
"She wouldn't want me to suffer. She'd want me to live for both of us, to be happy for both of us. So that's what I try to do every day. I think your sister would want the same for you Arata... I don't think she'd want to see you suffering for her sake."
She sat on the ground next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder tenderly before continuing. "I know you may find this foolish or crazy or childish... But I think your sister forgives you. She is a part of Her Light now, she has no pain, no sorrow... But I like to think that those who become part of Her Light watch over us from above. And I think your sister's heart aches, just as yours does, though not for the same reasons. I think she aches because of how hard you are on yourself. Because you can't forgive yourself."
She paused a moment, letting her words sink in as best as they could before she continued, her hand rubbing his shoulder lightly as she spoke. "If you allow yourself to dwell on that pain forever, it'll eventually drive you mad. Depression will set in, then survivor's guilt, and then..." She didn't want to think about the end result of all of that pain and suffering. "The point is, you have to be able to forgive yourself. Think of your sister, think of what she would want. It's the same thing I have to tell myself every day regarding Emi..." She instinctually began playing with her Ruby Flame necklace as she spoke of her later girlfriend, a sort of tick of hers.
"She wouldn't want me to suffer. She'd want me to live for both of us, to be happy for both of us. So that's what I try to do every day. I think your sister would want the same for you Arata... I don't think she'd want to see you suffering for her sake."
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Fujitsuna Arata had never been known for relying on others around him for strength, even after his sister's death he had done everything he could to make sure he never had to. Yet in this moment he wasn't quite himself, no he was the boy who lost his twin sister. He heard everything Kiyori said, felt her touch on his shoulder and he reacted in a way that was both characteristic of him and very uncharacteristic of him. He reached out both hands on Kiyori's shoulders and pulled himself closer to her, leaning forward and burying his face in her chest as he cried. Perhaps in the past this might have been seen as some perverted ploy, but Arata was hopelessly sober in this moment and lost to his emotion. It wasn't the woman's body he sought, it was simply the physical comfort. "How do I tell her?" he whispered. "I just want her to know I'm sorry." he said.
As he cried, the world around them seemed to spin, the illusions of it all changing. His sister was gone, the maze was gone, it was as if the pair stood on a sea of stars with no floor nor roof in sight, but at first Arata didn't even notice it. He only sobbed into Kiyori as he fell to pieces in her arms. Yet the voices floated on the air all around them, for both of them to hear.
"Could it be?"
"Would you help him? Could you?"
"Are they so similar? Truly?"
"Is this, they? Are they worthy?"
"He sacrificed body for her, what as she done?"
"Comfort is a sacrifice. Pain is not just physical."
"But is it comparable?"
Over and over the voices were heard all around them, thoughts and yet aloud for both to hear and sense, yet no one stood in the room with them.
As he cried, the world around them seemed to spin, the illusions of it all changing. His sister was gone, the maze was gone, it was as if the pair stood on a sea of stars with no floor nor roof in sight, but at first Arata didn't even notice it. He only sobbed into Kiyori as he fell to pieces in her arms. Yet the voices floated on the air all around them, for both of them to hear.
"Could it be?"
"Would you help him? Could you?"
"Are they so similar? Truly?"
"Is this, they? Are they worthy?"
"He sacrificed body for her, what as she done?"
"Comfort is a sacrifice. Pain is not just physical."
"But is it comparable?"
Over and over the voices were heard all around them, thoughts and yet aloud for both to hear and sense, yet no one stood in the room with them.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori did her best to hold Arata, shushing into his ear and telling him everything would be fine, that she was there for him... the only things she could think of to calm him down and ease his pain. "She knows Arata. She watches over you, Just as Emi watches over me. She forgives you, but you will never recover if you can't learn to forgive yourself." She continued to hold him close, even as the world changed around them and they were surrounded by what seemed by a void of space filled with stars. She looked around as the place altered itself to appear this way, and as the voices started in, anger began to flow through her as they spoke. They acted as if they weren't even there, as if this was all some test and they were totally indifferent to their pain.
Kiyori would tolerate these voices no longer.
"SHUT UP!!!" Kiyori screamed at the top of her lungs, hoping to catch the attention of the voices so that she could continue. "Quit acting as if we're not here! Quit talking like we're just some rats in a cage! We're human beings, we're hurt and we want out of this hellhole! Either reveal yourselves and help us get out of here, or shut the fuck up!!!" She panted and leered into the void of space, her rage quite visible as she waited for something to reveal itself, or the sound of silence to reign over them once more... Either one was welcome at this point. These voices were doing nothing for them except distracting them from their goal of escape, and the pain they were making both of them relive was too much...
Kiyori would tolerate these voices no longer.
"SHUT UP!!!" Kiyori screamed at the top of her lungs, hoping to catch the attention of the voices so that she could continue. "Quit acting as if we're not here! Quit talking like we're just some rats in a cage! We're human beings, we're hurt and we want out of this hellhole! Either reveal yourselves and help us get out of here, or shut the fuck up!!!" She panted and leered into the void of space, her rage quite visible as she waited for something to reveal itself, or the sound of silence to reign over them once more... Either one was welcome at this point. These voices were doing nothing for them except distracting them from their goal of escape, and the pain they were making both of them relive was too much...
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Some part of him wanted to believe her, but some part of him also felt that what he had done was unforgiveable. He heard the voices but said nothing, he only shook his head as he finally pulled back from Kiyori, blinking a moment at her shout. Despite it all, even in the moment, he couldn't help a chuckle as she screamed at several disembodied voices that he was convinced were just part of some illusion now.
But as she yelled at them, they faded away, and so did this strange illusion of a world they were in. "One final test." Was all the pair heard as it faded away and they were left in another cavernous room with a stone floor and ceiling. Arata looked around, tears still fresh down his face before he realized what was going on. There was only one doorway to leave by, and before that doorway were three female spider-like monsters just like the one from before.
Arata scrambled to his feet and pulled Kiyori up with him, putting her behind him as a hand went to the hilt of one of his swords. "I really am sick of this shit..." he whispered, his voice hoarse.
But as she yelled at them, they faded away, and so did this strange illusion of a world they were in. "One final test." Was all the pair heard as it faded away and they were left in another cavernous room with a stone floor and ceiling. Arata looked around, tears still fresh down his face before he realized what was going on. There was only one doorway to leave by, and before that doorway were three female spider-like monsters just like the one from before.
Arata scrambled to his feet and pulled Kiyori up with him, putting her behind him as a hand went to the hilt of one of his swords. "I really am sick of this shit..." he whispered, his voice hoarse.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Kiyori let out a small sigh and let her eyes close a moment as the voices ceased their conversation... it seemed she had gotten through finally. She looked back to Arata with a look of "where did that just come from" on her face, she had never exploded like that before in her life. Hell, she hardly ever cursed either, so for her to drop an F bomb was incredibly out of character. "Sorry... I don't know what-" She was cut off as the last voice rang out, claiming they had one final test... Of course they did.
She grit her teeth and her brow furrowed once again as the voice spoke, and a moment later 3 more of those female spider creatures blocked what seemed to be the only way out. She hardly hesitated as her hands flew into a series of long hand seals, gathering a ton of Katon chakra through her body and forcing it towards her hands as she prepared for combat. "Ha... You're getting sick of this?" She wanted to point out that she had been down in this hellhole for what felt like at least a few weeks before he got there, so if anyone was sick of this it was her. However, she reminded herself that her stress and pain didn't make his any less valid. Even an hour in this hellhole was pain.
Her hand seals finished, she held her hand up above her head as if she was grabbing for something. A moment later, a condensed spear of pure flame formed in her hand, and with a yell she hurled the spear of flame towards the center of the three spiders. Once it got close, another single hand seal would cause the spear to unravel into a maelstrom of flames that threatened to engulf them all.
She grit her teeth and her brow furrowed once again as the voice spoke, and a moment later 3 more of those female spider creatures blocked what seemed to be the only way out. She hardly hesitated as her hands flew into a series of long hand seals, gathering a ton of Katon chakra through her body and forcing it towards her hands as she prepared for combat. "Ha... You're getting sick of this?" She wanted to point out that she had been down in this hellhole for what felt like at least a few weeks before he got there, so if anyone was sick of this it was her. However, she reminded herself that her stress and pain didn't make his any less valid. Even an hour in this hellhole was pain.
Her hand seals finished, she held her hand up above her head as if she was grabbing for something. A moment later, a condensed spear of pure flame formed in her hand, and with a yell she hurled the spear of flame towards the center of the three spiders. Once it got close, another single hand seal would cause the spear to unravel into a maelstrom of flames that threatened to engulf them all.
Jutsu UsedShow
*Katon • Izanagi's Spear
A-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user will form a condensed 5cm diameter, 3 meter long spear of fire in their hand then throw it at an opponent. At any time during the course of the spear's travel, the user may use Chakra Kai to activate the spear. This causes the spear to rapidly unwind and expand into a 10 meter long, 7 meter diameter whirlwind of fire at a speed of 30. On impact, the spear will then explode at A-Rank strength.
A-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user will form a condensed 5cm diameter, 3 meter long spear of fire in their hand then throw it at an opponent. At any time during the course of the spear's travel, the user may use Chakra Kai to activate the spear. This causes the spear to rapidly unwind and expand into a 10 meter long, 7 meter diameter whirlwind of fire at a speed of 30. On impact, the spear will then explode at A-Rank strength.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Arata only snorted in response as Kiyori got sarcastic. There were a lot of things he could say in response, after all the entire reason he was down here was to rescue her. He had no desire to be here and he certainly hadn't wanted to be confronted with everything that had just happened. Yet here before him he had three targets to pour that rage into instead, and nothing left in his system to inhibit him from doing just that. He knew Kiyori's A-Rank would take a moment and he adjusted his grips, one hand moving to touch the grip of the odachi on his back. As Kiyori's spear of flames rocketed forward he saw two of the spider-like women managed to scatter, the third he assumed would be caught in it, but he immediately shifted his attention to the target that had tried to get away.
He moved towards her, rather quickly getting to his top speed even as she turned and spewed webbing at him. His odachi he drew and slapped the webbing with the flat of the blade as he used it as a shield and continued to charge at her. First his blade came down and dug into the pavement between them, sending pieces of stone into the spider's face as she shrieked before he lunged forward and leaped over the small crater he had just created and spearing the creature with the blade. As she shrieked in pain, the sword piercing flesh, Arata raised it and made a motion as if flinging to the side without releasing the blade, sending the spider creature's corpse across the room and back into the flames from what was left of Kiyori's technique.
He never once said a word, no taunts, not even a cry of rage. For the first time in years he had simply set his mind to destroying his target and did so.
He moved towards her, rather quickly getting to his top speed even as she turned and spewed webbing at him. His odachi he drew and slapped the webbing with the flat of the blade as he used it as a shield and continued to charge at her. First his blade came down and dug into the pavement between them, sending pieces of stone into the spider's face as she shrieked before he lunged forward and leaped over the small crater he had just created and spearing the creature with the blade. As she shrieked in pain, the sword piercing flesh, Arata raised it and made a motion as if flinging to the side without releasing the blade, sending the spider creature's corpse across the room and back into the flames from what was left of Kiyori's technique.
He never once said a word, no taunts, not even a cry of rage. For the first time in years he had simply set his mind to destroying his target and did so.
Jutsu UsedShow
*[Shinden • Sword Shield]
D-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
As most Shinden users wield rather large blades, The user of this technique has trained themself to use the width of their blade as a sort of shield, using it to deflect most small weaponry and block blows reliably. Users should be very liberal with the use of this technique, as too strong a blow could damage their weapon and render it useless, while too thin a weapon makes the use of this technique more difficult than one with a wider blade.
*Shinden • Grounding Blade
C-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
The user he blade of their sword into the ground and then slashes sideways creating a fairly deep deep crater, around five inches, in the ground in front of them, kicking up a splash of rocks and dust to blind and harry foes. The user then lunges into their foe with an attempt to knock them over or slash at their legs. Foes with at least equal Strength to the user can avoid being knocked over and can maintain ground, preventing the follow-up slash.
*Shinden • Uproot
C-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
Bringing their blade down and pointing the tip towards their enemy, the user will thrust the length of their blade into his opponent in an attempt to jam their sword through the opponent's torso. To finish the technique the user will lift their target off of their feet by lifting the blade before throwing them as far as they can, swinging the blade to fling them off the tip.
D-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
As most Shinden users wield rather large blades, The user of this technique has trained themself to use the width of their blade as a sort of shield, using it to deflect most small weaponry and block blows reliably. Users should be very liberal with the use of this technique, as too strong a blow could damage their weapon and render it useless, while too thin a weapon makes the use of this technique more difficult than one with a wider blade.
*Shinden • Grounding Blade
C-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
The user he blade of their sword into the ground and then slashes sideways creating a fairly deep deep crater, around five inches, in the ground in front of them, kicking up a splash of rocks and dust to blind and harry foes. The user then lunges into their foe with an attempt to knock them over or slash at their legs. Foes with at least equal Strength to the user can avoid being knocked over and can maintain ground, preventing the follow-up slash.
*Shinden • Uproot
C-Rank Kenjutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
Bringing their blade down and pointing the tip towards their enemy, the user will thrust the length of their blade into his opponent in an attempt to jam their sword through the opponent's torso. To finish the technique the user will lift their target off of their feet by lifting the blade before throwing them as far as they can, swinging the blade to fling them off the tip.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
The explosive spear of flaming death made contact with one of the spiders, incinerating her as she screamed in agony and charring her skin and bones in a matter of moments. Arata's impressive display of attack also served to take one of the spider's out of commission, thrusting the badly wounded spider back into the same flames as the first, burning whatever remained of her life away too. That left only the last one, which took off to the left of Kiyori. This whole time, everything she had fought was either inhuman, or her mind was clouded with rage. It was only now that she realized these spider-like creatures were also part human...
And if they looked human, maybe they had human weaknesses too.
Taking off towards the spider, she performed a short series of hand seals the moment she saw the spider spew webbing towards her. Before it hit her, she froze a moment and exhaled a small ball of flame to burn the webbing away before it could hit her. With the webbing out of the way, she took off towards it again, and even the ichor that dripped from it's mouth did nothing to halt her advance. She jumped towards the creature with a yell, extending her right index and middle finger's towards the creature's chest in a fingerjab... The creature must have thought there would be nothing to the strike, as it did nothing to avoid it.
Big mistake it would seem, as the strike caused the creature to gasp and drop down to the ground, it's human form now within reach of Kiyori. Then began the barrage of strikes, one after another she delivered jab after jab throughout the creature's body, each one furthering the paralyzing effect of the creature. After what seemed like a hundred jabs delivered at lightning speed, finally she reeled back and with another yell of fury, struck the creature right between the eyes. All at once, every jab seemed to activate at once, and the pain that suddenly shot through the entire body crippled the spider entirely... it was paralyzed with pain.
Letting out a few deep breaths, Kiyori straightened herself up again and pulled her hair back. "Finish this one off if you don't mind... I've had enough killing."
And if they looked human, maybe they had human weaknesses too.
Taking off towards the spider, she performed a short series of hand seals the moment she saw the spider spew webbing towards her. Before it hit her, she froze a moment and exhaled a small ball of flame to burn the webbing away before it could hit her. With the webbing out of the way, she took off towards it again, and even the ichor that dripped from it's mouth did nothing to halt her advance. She jumped towards the creature with a yell, extending her right index and middle finger's towards the creature's chest in a fingerjab... The creature must have thought there would be nothing to the strike, as it did nothing to avoid it.
Big mistake it would seem, as the strike caused the creature to gasp and drop down to the ground, it's human form now within reach of Kiyori. Then began the barrage of strikes, one after another she delivered jab after jab throughout the creature's body, each one furthering the paralyzing effect of the creature. After what seemed like a hundred jabs delivered at lightning speed, finally she reeled back and with another yell of fury, struck the creature right between the eyes. All at once, every jab seemed to activate at once, and the pain that suddenly shot through the entire body crippled the spider entirely... it was paralyzed with pain.
Letting out a few deep breaths, Kiyori straightened herself up again and pulled her hair back. "Finish this one off if you don't mind... I've had enough killing."
Jutsu UsedShow
*Katon • Fireball
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user draws in a deep breath before exhaling out a 1/2 meter diameter fireball at the opponent. It travels up to 10 meters away at a speed of 6 and a strength of 4.
Mantis Jab
C-Ranked Taijutsu Discipline
Based on the fundamental attacks of Jyuuken, when engaged in a hand to hand fight, Kiyori will jab at her opponent using her index and middle fingers instead of a fully clenched fist. This method of striking carries all of the same strength of a normal punch in it, but instead of being spread out over the area of a fist, the damage is condensed into the small area that the fingers connect with. This causes intense pain within smaller areas as opposed to the normal pain of a punch. This manner of striking, when combined with the accuracy from Mantis Sight, enable's Kiyori to deal incredible damage to an opponent with only a few well placed strikes to key areas.
Mantis Instinct
A Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Through intense study and internalization of various medical texts, as well as rigorous training and experience putting the knowledge into practice, Kiyori has become a master of human anatomy. As a result, she is able to locate practically any point within a human body, regardless of variances in shape or size. This knowledge extends to chakra systems, nervous systems, vascular systems, organs, pressure points and anything else. Much of this knowledge extends into the biology of non-human species as well, though with less precision. This discipline, combined with the accuracy of the Mantis style, can turn even the simplest of attacks into a fatal blow.
Mantis Torment
A Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: Mantis Instinct, Mantis Jab
Kiyori begins this precision-based assault with a single Mantis Strike aimed at a pressure point on the target's chest. Should the initial strike make contact, the opponent will find themselves momentarily stunned, allowing Kiyori to begin a relentless barrage of Mantis strikes against the target. Each strike is carefully and precisely placed with skill and speed instead of pure strength, striking at pressure points beneath the skin with masterful accuracy. While the target is stunned for this assault, they feel little to no pain from the resulting barrage of attacks, though each strike serves to further cripple their body and allow her to continue her attack. To conclude the onslaught, Kiyori will deliver a final strike aimed at the center of the target's forehead. This strike causes all of the other strikes to 'activate' at once, crippling the target with pain and rendering them fully paralyzed for 2 posts unless their Stamina is greater than Kiyori's (Taijutsu+Instinct)/2.
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user draws in a deep breath before exhaling out a 1/2 meter diameter fireball at the opponent. It travels up to 10 meters away at a speed of 6 and a strength of 4.
Mantis Jab
C-Ranked Taijutsu Discipline
Based on the fundamental attacks of Jyuuken, when engaged in a hand to hand fight, Kiyori will jab at her opponent using her index and middle fingers instead of a fully clenched fist. This method of striking carries all of the same strength of a normal punch in it, but instead of being spread out over the area of a fist, the damage is condensed into the small area that the fingers connect with. This causes intense pain within smaller areas as opposed to the normal pain of a punch. This manner of striking, when combined with the accuracy from Mantis Sight, enable's Kiyori to deal incredible damage to an opponent with only a few well placed strikes to key areas.
Mantis Instinct
A Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Through intense study and internalization of various medical texts, as well as rigorous training and experience putting the knowledge into practice, Kiyori has become a master of human anatomy. As a result, she is able to locate practically any point within a human body, regardless of variances in shape or size. This knowledge extends to chakra systems, nervous systems, vascular systems, organs, pressure points and anything else. Much of this knowledge extends into the biology of non-human species as well, though with less precision. This discipline, combined with the accuracy of the Mantis style, can turn even the simplest of attacks into a fatal blow.
Mantis Torment
A Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: Mantis Instinct, Mantis Jab
Kiyori begins this precision-based assault with a single Mantis Strike aimed at a pressure point on the target's chest. Should the initial strike make contact, the opponent will find themselves momentarily stunned, allowing Kiyori to begin a relentless barrage of Mantis strikes against the target. Each strike is carefully and precisely placed with skill and speed instead of pure strength, striking at pressure points beneath the skin with masterful accuracy. While the target is stunned for this assault, they feel little to no pain from the resulting barrage of attacks, though each strike serves to further cripple their body and allow her to continue her attack. To conclude the onslaught, Kiyori will deliver a final strike aimed at the center of the target's forehead. This strike causes all of the other strikes to 'activate' at once, crippling the target with pain and rendering them fully paralyzed for 2 posts unless their Stamina is greater than Kiyori's (Taijutsu+Instinct)/2.
| Active Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Origin | Character Name & Link | Rank | Color |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Henrin Emi | Genin | [color=darkgoldenrod][b][/b][/color] |
| Konohagakure no Sato | Ibakuro Aiya | Chuunin | [color=#8CD600][/color] |
| Sunagakure no Sato | Kouseki Takuma | Genin | [color=#003893][b][/b][/color], [b][color=#AFBCDB][/color][/b] |
| Kirigakure no Sato | Kazuki Ryu | Chuunin | [color=#dc143c][/color], [b][color=#C71585][/color][/b] |
| Hiraku Kenji | [b][color=slategray][/color][/b] | ||
| Fukusha Jinsai | Jounin | [color=#BF0000][/color], [b][glow=orangered][color=#000000][/color][/glow][/b] | |
-
Willoria
- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:00 pm
- Location: Dancing with his Demons
- User flair: Heart of Gold, Encased in Stone.
- Contact:
[Graded][Plotboard - Closed] Loss of Self
Arata didn't sheathe his odachi as he finished with the animal, instead he wiped it clean and turned to watch what Kiyori did with the final beast. He had so far seen her use mostly Katon so the man was almost intrigued to see her use purely taijutsu to take out this particular one, at least when she got close enough. He moved closer to the pair in case he was needed, but as he suspected he clearly wasn't. But he couldn't help a quirked eyebrow as Kiyori told him to finish off the creature for her. "It's just a beast." he told her as he walked over to it, odachi resting over both his shoulders as he moved. "Any humanity in it is only in the appearance." he added. "Don't let this place take advantage of your mercy."
He bent his knees as he loomed over the creature and brought his odachi up, slamming it into the ground with such force he not only severed the thing's head, he buried it in the pavement too. He cleaned the weapon again before sheathing it and turning to Kiyori. "Come on, maybe we're nearly out of this place." he said quietly, speaking with a hope that honestly he didn't feel.
He bent his knees as he loomed over the creature and brought his odachi up, slamming it into the ground with such force he not only severed the thing's head, he buried it in the pavement too. He cleaned the weapon again before sheathing it and turning to Kiyori. "Come on, maybe we're nearly out of this place." he said quietly, speaking with a hope that honestly he didn't feel.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF