Though Riss had lived in Kirigakure her entire life, she was a bit embarrassed to admit that she hadn’t been to every single location within the village. Though she had been through many of the popular areas of town such as the Training Grounds, the Shore, and the Academy, there was still much she left unexplored. Riss had made it a habit of wandering the village, trying to take new paths and seeing where they take her. On occasion, the paths she took would end up getting her sidetracked due to her constant curiosity with things happening around her, but she would still wander nonetheless. Having woken up at a somewhat early in the afternoon, Riss set out almost immediately to see where she would end up today. Having made a mental checklist of places she’s seen, she decided to walk along the edge of the city and closer towards the shore. Sticking her hands behind her back, she walked with a slight spring in her step. Glancing around every now and then, she would always seem to focus more on the water than the buildings. Watching boats in the distance come and go gave her an idea to travel along the edge of the docks until she could go no further. Walking past workers loading different crates and supplies to be shipped to who knows where. Before she knew it, Riss has reached the end of the dock and could only go back. Seeing as it was still the afternoon, there was still time to explore. Doubling back and weaving her way through the buildings, she eventually ended up at a somewhat large bridge. With a shrug she started to walk across it.

Riss followed along the edge of the bridge’s railing with her hand, only to stop in the middle. She quietly sighed and gripped the railing with both hands. Slowly but surely, she slumped downwards and ended up resting her head on her crossed arms. Staring out towards the open water, she glanced up and looked at the sun. As she looked out towards the passing waves, her mind began to wander. Thoughts about her future started to come forward. Though she was an Uzumaki and therefore had skill with Sealing techniques, she had rarely practiced or put any effort to truly perfect them. Of course for a Genin, she could only accomplish little. Being notable and being known were two things she craved, and with little practice, she wouldn’t be fulfilling that goal anytime soon. With yet another sigh, her thoughts shifted to events that would most likely happen soon. Getting on a team and going on missions with them was one such event. Riss didn’t know many others her age, or many other Genin for that matter. Having only recently gotten into missions aimed towards those that were her rank, she wanted a bit more excitement out of missions. Of course it all came back to her ranking as a ninja. As she continued to ponder about the various things in her mind, she lost track of time and had been leaning on the railing for a rather long amount of time. It was only when her thoughts were interrupted by a strong breeze did she realize how long she spent in silent thought. The wind rushed by her and forced a bit of hair in her face. Without a word, she brought a hand up and lightly pushed the hair behind her ear. So much was going to happen to her in such little time. Riss could only feel like she was going to be overwhelmed when it happens. Lifting her head up, she kept her grip on the railing and continued to look out into the open waters.


Word Count: 630

It was some time the girl spent standing there. At least from the distance Sero could somewhat assume the gender was female. He was sitting on the arch at the end of the bridge on his side of it. If not for his perception he wouldn't be able to see her at all from the distance through the mist. He had been sitting there out of the range of his aura from her simply studying her. After all his island seemed to be more popular as of late. Or at least his bridge was. He didn't mind too much so long as he wasn't blamed for lost individuals again. After all he only made people he was told to disappear. It wasn't some simple hobby of his. Still the rumors of a haunted island had kept the locals at bay. Obviously she wasn't one of his neighbors. Any of them would of avoided this specific bridge like the plague. Some people who knew it wasn't haunted but knew he resided there were wise enough to avoid the place as well. Even more so then those afraid of ghosts. After all they knew what truly walked the dark grounds of the Osada Manor.

Still his outfit was fairly simple. Shinobi padded sandals with grey socks adorned his feet. Grey pants with some bagginess to them were tied down at his ankles and held on by a metal belt (Secretly a whip sword). Under the pants was the shin guards of his Anbu Armor hidden by the bagginess. On his left hip was a katana and a wakizashi while on his right hip was a sawed off double barreled Kunai launcher. His top was a grey, long sleeved robe top with the robe leading down to his knee's. It seemed loose and hung on his shoulders openly displaying the pale skin but also revealing the grey chest piece of the ANBU armor. the wide sleeves seemed to trail down to his fingers. Black elbow length gloves were barely visible under them. Also hidden up the sleeves was the Anbu arm guards. A sash went from above the Katana on his left hip to his right shoulder filled with eight strangely shaped kunai with obviously sharpened edges. On the small of his back was a folded up windmill shuriken. Around his neck was his Kiri headband with the metal guarding his wind pipe. Lastly was a mask, grey in color with the eyes cut out and what appeared to be stitches across the mouth. Around the eyes blackened which revealed the dead grey gaze of the eyes within. His silver hair trailing out around it.

Still when the breeze came in it washed the mist along the bridge and with it Sero moved fluidly almost sinking into the mist without a sound. Hopping over the hole in the bridge the last visitors had set loose and approaching. For her it would seem like a blanket of thick mist came in with the breeze coating the bridge and her feet so the bridge was no longer visible. However she would feel Sero once he got within shouting distance. It would change the whole setting. All of the sudden she would be fully capable of sensing him. Like the Apex predator was suddenly breathing down her neck. Like something was hunting her from every direction. Feelings like the child feels about the monster in the closet or under the bed. The kind of feeling that causes others to hide under the blankets and hairs on the back of the neck to stand up on end. It was Sero's curse that he had been born with. He had a constant monstrous presence. Still his ANBU armor hid him in the mist until he was within talking distance unless she ran. When he was within five meters the mist would seem to peel back as if the tendrils clinging to him were a part of him. As if his body was forming out of the mist itself. Cold grey eyes took her in as empty as the grave itself as an equally cold voice spoke out. Louder then a whisper but almost a hiss on the wind.

"Who might you be? Are you lost or do you know where you tread?"

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Riss’ ears perked up slightly when she had the feeling someone was somewhat close to her. She somewhat tempted to stay still and merely think that the presence near her was just someone crossing the bridge. The only thing that kept her from doing so was the fact that she neither felt nor heard footsteps getting closer to her. A slight chill ran up her back as she turned her head and looked into the nearby mist. There was a small ripple, but it simply looked like a change in the mist’s natural flow. Riss felt a bit nervous staying on the bridge and was very tempted to just leave and head back the way she came. Gritting her teeth slightly, she started to think. Even though she was a Genin and the Village was rather safe, there was still a chance something or someone wanted to cause her harm. They would most likely be using the mist as cover. Straightening her back and taking her right hand off the railing, she slowly reached for the kunai on her belt and slowly turned, holding the kunai against her side. It was at this moment she saw a figure approach from the mist.

Riss went a bit pale, but still held on tight to her Kunai. In almost an instant, her eyes began to scan the man from head to toe. She was trying to see what equipment he had on him and if he happened to have any clues telling Riss where he might be from. The first thing she noticed was the man’s eyes that were glaring at her from behind the mask. They seemed to be piercing straight through her and gave her a cold feeling on the back of her neck. The very next thing her eye caught was the Kiri headband that was protecting his neck. Though this gave her a bit of relief, it still didn’t take away from the fact the man showed himself in such a menacing way. The very last object she could see was the man’s sword. Given that Riss only had her Kunai on her, she wouldn’t be able to do much if she was attacked. Her mind was all over the place trying to think of what the man wanted from her or even if he means to do her harm. Before she was able to ask the man who he was or what he wanted, the man spoke first.

With a short shake of her head, Riss snapped out of her fearful trance and answered the man with as much courage she could muster. “M-My name is Riss Uzumaki. I-I’m a Genin from Kirigakure.” She stumbled slightly on the beginning of her words. Though she tried to hide it, she was a bit frightened by the encounter she was having with the man. “A-And I’m not lost… I know exactly where I am.” Riss was lying, but tried to make it sound at least somewhat convincing. In truth, she had very little clue about where she had ended up. All she knew was that she found a bridge and that it seemed like a decent place to relax. Releasing the bridge’s guard railing with her other hand, she let it drop to her side. Slowly moving one foot, she got into a better position if she needed to defend herself. Running was no longer an option in her mind. Riss took a deep breath and waited for a response from the man.

Word Count: 1214

Sero raised an eye brow from behind his mask and tilted his head as he observed the young individual gripping a kunai by the hilt. It wasn't as if the individual before him was too far from his age, or even as young as him. After all he was fifteen. However he didn't observe age based on how many years one had been around. He based it by observing them and how they held themselves. That said people had a gift for misleading others when it came to adopting a character. For now she was young, but in a moments notice that could change. It may only appear he had the advantage but for all he knew the girl only needed the Kunai to take him down. It wouldn't be unthinkable to assume one of his enemies, those he hadn't hunted to extinction yet, had sent an assassin. After all he had been stirring up a lot of trouble for the bandits and pirates in the area. A trail of bodies marked his rise to ANBU and the destruction in his wake had raised a few eyebrows and ruffled a few collars. Still he wouldn't attack a supposed Kiri shinobi simply for being on his bridge. If she drew her weapon however....

Slowly his head untilted and he casually lowered his right hand to rest his wrist on the hilt of his sword. It looked comfortable yet suddenly the air would grow heavier. Not enough to actually slow anyone down. It wasn't as if there was a literal weight but at the same time it would feel like a thick, invisible blanket was being draped over them. To top it off it was cold as well, as if all the warmth had been sucked out of the area. Just from him placing his hand on his sword even as lazily as he did the killing intent flooded between them with such vigor it brought on a physical feeling. When he spoke, those cold dead eyes only watched her. Unblinking with almost no movement. They hardly seemed real. His stance seemed relaxed but he was so cold it was like standing with the dead. Still his voice echoed across the bridge like a long hiss as his mask made it so.

"If you intend to draw a weapon I will treat you as hostile. Either remove your hand from it or I will be writing an apology letter to your kin with your blood."

Either way he wouldn't drop his guard entirely but the blanket feeling would lift the moment his hand lifted from his sword. She would still be able to feel him. Like something scraping at the back of her neck or clawing up from the darkest depths of the marsh just to hunt her. But the difference was obvious. It seemed that he became something far worse when he touched his weapons. Still he folded his hands up his sleeves and let the sleeves slide together. Hiding his hands entirely. It was then that he would speak once more. Not caring to wait for her to decide to draw her weapon or not. After all she deserved to have the full knowledge of what she was getting into if she drew her weapon.

"You are either brave or lying Genin. Then again you wouldn't be the first genin to wander onto this bridge by mistake. Only one has come with purpose before you and I doubt I will be seeing her again. The bridge you stand on is the only way on or off of the Osada Island Manor. My fathers house that only I tread within. A place where more dead things reside then the living. If you intend to challenge me then you challenge an ANBU of Kirigakure trained by the Mizukage and one of the seven swords. You challenge the ANBU known as Mercy. If not then I will invite you to my sanctuary and you can...inform me of the mainland and anything new happening. Yes?"

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A bead of sweat formed above Riss’ temple and slowly dripped down her face. For a moment, she felt as though her entire body was numb. The cold feeling she previously had was replaced with an empty and still air. Riss glanced down at Sero’s hand as he set it over his sword. The thought that her kunai would lose against his sword shot through her mind yet again. Breathing deep, the numbness subsided and the cold feeling returned. The air felt heavier than before and gave Riss an uneasy feeling. Her stomach knotted as she listened to the man’s words.

She gripped onto her Kunai tightly, thinking about what she could possibly do. The threat of death was certainly enough initiative to have her release the kunai, but there was still something in her mind that told her not to trust the man in the mask. With a heavy sigh and a defeated expression, she slowly started to loosen her grip. Bringing each individual digit away from her weapon, she quietly showed her open palm to the man and set her hand against her side. The kunai was still attached to her belt, but she gave a clear enough sign that she wasn’t intending on using it and losing her head. Her mind started to race as she starting to think of different outcomes that this event would provide. If the man standing before her truly wanted to cause her harm, he would have done so quietly and would most likely have caught her off guard. Giving her a chance to disarm and not immediately removing her head from her body was a good enough sign. The worst that could happen would be dying on a bridge by a man she didn’t know. Plain and simple, but at the same time chilling and unnerving.

Riss took a deep breath when the ANBU was able to see through her lie almost immediately. True, she was lying, but she only did so to try and redirect the man’s original question. Unfortunately for her, the bridge she was on had a bit more meaning to it. With a quiet remark, she mumbled to herself. “Brave or lying… Why is it either? Why can’t it be both?” Riss made sure her comment was silent enough to where Sero wouldn’t be able to make it out. She snapped out of her thoughts and continued to listen to what the ANBU had to say.

There was a moment of mental panic when the ANBU invited her onto the island. In her mind, the entire situation was going even further downhill than she originally anticipated. Riss had every right to make a run for it. Having been threatened with death if she drew her weapon and even implying another had come on the bridge and was no longer an issue was certainly assisting her decision. However, she had a small ounce of curiosity trying to fight her to accept the offer. With a pained look, she nodded. “As brave as I think I am, I’m not here to fight you. I gladly accept your invitation to come onto your island as well.” Riss spoke quickly and almost immediately regretted accepting the invitation. Although it would be interesting to meet a member of Kiri’s ANBU, she never imagined it playing out in such a terrifying way.

Word Count: 1773

Sero paused as the moment seemed to hold for a time. Each moment exasperated by the tension between them. If she refused to release her weapon and engaged him how quickly would it end? Would it be a battle or would it simply end? Battle had too many variables to simply assume the obvious was the truth. It may appear to the onlooker that Sero had the advantage. Based on the information provided verbally he should have the advantage too. However he saw no point on relaxing his standards due to supposed simplicity. If she did attack he would go full paced to take her down. He would not pull his punches or hesitate. It was too much of a risk to simply take everything at face value. Still time dragged on like an old clock ticking as it echoed along an empty and quiet room. Finally a single digit twitched and his silver gaze shifted to watch it. Soon after under that gaze another lifted and soon her hand removed from it entirely. It was shown to him as an empty palm but he gave no sign of approval. He seemed to remain on edge. Like a spring pressed down ready to release if tested.

Still it was enough that he too should give a show of faith. His own weapons were not being touched per say. Still one gloved hand reached up with pale, white fingers stretched out. With a touch to his mask it seemed to melt away as if the touch of his skin had turned it to mere mist. The mist falling like a wave into his inner cloak along his chest before settling there into a hidden scroll. It was a simple seal but somehow when he did it the very technique seemed to live. What was perhaps more astonishing by far though was the face behind the mask. A very plain expression was set on the face of a young silver haired boy. Perhaps fifteen years old he didn't seem to match the face to the feeling. However those cold, dead grey eyes still held no sense of life or expression. Everything before them still seemed to be taken in merely as data to him. Still he spoke as his real voice seemed to make the hiss before almost feel like unbridled passion. His dull tones seemed to have no emotion. As disconnected as any sociopath might be.

"The wisdom of releasing your weapon eliminates stupidity as an option for now. Please...proceed. Mind the signs."

With that he turned so he was facing sideways with his back to the railing. Her on his right and the bridge itself on his left. His left hand lifted and seemed to grab the mist itself like a tendril made solid before pulling on it. Truth be told it was a flex of chakra but the mist parted as if torn down the middle. Its white blanket holding on either side of the bridge like high walls waiting to crash down. A little ways ahead only a thin mist left trails on the bridge. Now it was all too clear what was ahead. Blood trails like drag patterns coated the streets in four lines. But all four lines looked like they had been used far more then just once. The levels of decay on the blood in different spots was far too diverse. A little ways ahead on the bridge the thin tendrils of mist fell through a broken section of the bridge about a meter wide. Easily hopped over but at the bottom were the jagged remains of what had once been there. Water coated most of it and splashed on the rest but still a couple of the sharper rocks had a bit of a red hue. At the end of the bridge though was the reference to the signs. Just under the arch way were four men leaning on sticks...or perhaps from back there it looked like sticks. If the progressed closer though and hopped the gap then it would become far clearer that the truth was much darker. The four men were four rotting, headless corpses held up by stakes through the chest. Maggots eating at parts of them while entire chunks of flesh seemed to have been cut away at some point and their legs had been ripped apart by some hungry animal. In the distance a howl lifted met by another. A few more answered before the hounds seemed to sense the master of the house had returned. A couple of whines and whimpers were heard moving away but then silence.

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Staring quietly as the mist began to dissolve and swirl around Sero, Riss’ attention shifted to where it was all going. Seeing as it was all heading directly to the man’s chest, she could eliminate the chance that it was a jutsu, and most likely a sealing technique. Being somewhat competent with sealing and seeing the fog wasn’t simply a natural event, her posture relaxed very slightly. Knowing the mist was no longer clouding her surroundings was calming, but she remained vigilant. To her surprise, Sero removing his mask was something she did not expect. Just based off his appearance as an ANBU, Sero seemed to be closer to her age than she thought. Though it didn’t change her feelings about the situation she had placed herself into, it made her a bit curious about how someone so young was able to get into Kiri’s ANBU. That, and why such a person could scare the life out of her.

Riss carefully walked past Sero, trying her best not to break eye contact. His gaze continued to give her an uneasy feeling, especially now that she could see his full face. As he spoke, she nodded with a blank expression. His comment about stupidity came rather close to making her talk back. Riss’ outbursts were generally sour and long-winded, usually spinning out into full rants. She would have scolded him about appropriate things to say when someone it frightened, or even how not to come off as a psycho or a murderer. Thankfully, Riss had enough willpower to stop herself. If she ended up talking back or giving even the slightest of hostile tones, it wouldn’t have been pretty. Instead of an irritated comment, she simply replied, “T-Thank you.” Crossing her arms as she walked, she shook her head trying to keep it together. Her mind was racing, trying to justify accepting the offer. Replaying each word said and each bit of body language exchanged, she found so many ways she could have rejected the offer and been on her way home. As she thought more on the words, she recalled the mention of signs. This made her wonder what she needed to mind, then it hit her.

Stopping dead in her tracks, a chill ran up her spine as she came face to face with the corpses. Her stomach churned, not expecting to see such a thing on the island. Though given her fear-inducing host, she didn’t think there would be anything pleasant to come from the experience. The first thing Riss noticed about the corpse was the lack of a head, as well as the maggots writhing around where it used to be. As her eyes scanned the body from top to bottom, she took in the torn hunk of flesh with utter disgust. The howl in the distance didn’t register right away, but when it did, she whipped around and looked towards the source of the eerie wail. Seeing as she had already come far enough, Riss took a step towards the manor. Her shoulders were visibly shaking, though she tried to hide it as best as she could. Her mind was constantly set on running, but her heart fought the thoughts back and forced her to stay. With just a few more nervous steps, she continued along the path to the manor.

Word Count: 2328

(Sorry about the long wait.)

As she paused to look at the signs Sero had posted up to ward off intruders his cold, dead, grey eyes stared blankly at her. He was studying her and her reactions as if it were a social experiment for him. Still the howl in the distance hardly registered for him. The animals on the island did not approach him for the same reason she would know he was still close. The feeling around him would not go away. It wasn't the mask that caused it after all but somehow it was he himself. What part of him had failed to mature at birth? Was his humanity so broken that he had been born a monster? Or was he bred for the role he played now? The hunter on the island where one might be prey or predator at a drop of a hat. Even now it would feel like a blade was a mere second from her throat, or more aptly like he had his fangs to her neck. Yet his form was not blocking the way back. The bridge seemed almost lighter back the way she had come and the island itself only seemed to drown in darkness.
'
Sero slowly followed after her as she forced herself to progress forward. His steps hardly felt natural though as the robes he was wearing, blood stained as they were seemed to form into the mist before reaching his feet. The eerie way he moved made him seem to float along. His upper body did not shift as if he was walking. It did not sway from left to right or lift and drop with each step nor did his hands ever sway back and forth. His arms crossed together hiding his pale hands in his sleeves and he simply moved along without appearing to move at all. His very nature of living was so subtle one could not even see the rise and fall of his chest or a flaring of the nostrils. The question on whether he was even breathing may be too terrifying to consider though because it would beg the question of if he was even truly alive. Or if somehow she had found the rumored phantom of the island. The dark thing that wandered through the mists and claimed the souls of those who trespassed. Still all of that would be broken by a sudden noise.

Even as they progressed along the path the stone seemed to crumble away before the growth around them. Narrowing before becoming no more then patches of stone leading through a wall of dark tree's. The wood was as black as night and the branches were barren. Yet the branches seemed to meld together like thorns in a rose bush and block out the limited light from above. They were well within this dead forest before the noise broke through the mist like a war horn calling out. Thunder broke free of the sky as it flashed and brought forth the rain. Cold droplets fell before the peel of the thunders call even faded and began to fall to the earth around them. Sero seemed to pay it no mind as he continued on. Yet around them along the ground that seemed to be a dead forest shadows shifted. Hidden creatures surviving in death awakened by the storm. With Sero not caring to remain among them it would only seem wise to keep up. Soon they broke free of the tree cover to cross a crumbling courtyard. Statues broken away of man and monster alike lit up briefly by another flash of thunder. The light of it briefly revealing something dark and crimson marking several spots along the overgrown stone. The smell of something dead and gone lingered ever so slightly. Yet Sero continued on.

It wasn't until the approached the manor that he would let that dead grey gaze fall upon her once more. No hint of a soul behind that gaze as he uncrossed his arms and lifted one pale hand to indicate a door at the front of the Manor. This time when the thunder peeled it would light up the darkened windows of the manor and the crumbling stone as well as the vines creeping up the building. The door he indicated hung by a single hinge. When he spoke it was flat as before. A whisper from the grave. "We would do well to weather the storm indoors. Please...enter my home." And then he would wait for her to enter as invited. Assuming she did so she would see a dim hallway stretched to an entry way before her. Darkness seemed to cloak everything but the cob webs clinging to the ceiling and the skittering movements of what made them. Then suddenly the hallway would flood with light with the click of a light switch as Sero would step in behind her and flip it on. Walking passed her she would see him stop at the first suit of armor lining the hallway. He would lift the helmet to reveal a skull within. A large spider crawling out of the eye socket and back into the helmet as he spoke up once more. " deficit omne quod nasciture. It is Latin. It means Everything that is born passes away. What lays dead here passed away because it came up against me and chose to draw its weapon. You chose to hold off on that action and thus the saying has no meaning for you as of yet. Nor will it so long as you refrain from the temptation to try me in battle. You are safe enough here for the duration of the storm. That said, I do not have guests often of the living kind. I understand it is common to offer tea?"

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As Riss continued on, she tried to keep her eyes from wandering, in fear that there would be an even more horrific sight waiting for her. The two continued on, passing until they reached a rather large house. The entire setting around the manor was almost a mirror image to that of a horror novel. The stench of the dead, the eerie darkened sky, and the overgrown and jagged plant life surrounding the house itself gave Riss the impression that it was on an island and away from society for a reason. Just as she was about to say something, a sudden thunder pierced through the sky and caused Riss to jump slightly. On top of all the dark and depressing aspects of the manor, she now had to deal with a storm. Any type of inclement weather would make it unsafe for her to leave. Being stuck on an island with a frightening individual was enough to scare her, but being unable to leave left her nervous beyond all belief. Her mind started to think up the worst possible things that would happen. Sero might’ve just been luring her here to be alone. To kill her without any possible witnesses. Maybe he brought her to his home only to torture her to death. Her personal fear of torture was enough to break her foolhardiness and curiosity, but it seemed that Sero wanted to cause her no ill as of yet.

Watching as Sero passed her and opened the door to the manor, she slowly took a step out of the incoming weather and into Sero’s home. Inching forward as her host went behind her to flip the switch, she looked over her shoulder and watched his movements carefully. The lights flickered on and quickly made Riss feel less at home. The home looked old, given the amount of spiderwebs along the ceiling and in the corners. If she had a fear of spiders, the house would seem like an absolute nightmare. Luckily for her, she wasn’t terrified of them. As Sero opened the helmet and revealed the skull, she noticed the spider taking residence inside of it. With a quiet groan of disgust, she simply shook her head and started to look around the room.

Riss quickly turned her attention back to Sero when he started to speak. She stood up straight and nodded rapidly. Remaining silent as he spoke to her, she noted the Latin phrase he used. Thinking back on what happened on the bridge, it was smart of her to release her weapon. Seeing as she didn’t stand a chance, and those who attempted were no longer living. Snapping back to the tea conversation, she glanced over at a nearby window before speaking. “Normally that’s what hosts offer, yes.” As much as she tried to force a smile, all she could do was stare at the man with wide eyes and a blank expression. “Any tea you have is fine with me, thank you.” She was somewhat thirsty now that she thought about it. Riss had gone for a rather long walk before ending at the bridge and encountering Sero. With a deep inhale, she decided to take a chance and converse with the ghostly man. “S-Sero, you mentioned you don’t have guests often. Is it the island that keeps them away? Or… or do you keep them away?” It seemed a bit personal, and her tone gave wind that she had no intention of insulting him. The question was spawned merely out of curiosity.

[2917]

Sero looked to the skull a moment more as she replied to him. So it was customary to offer tea. He had read a lot of tea being offered but he had never had any real guests that hadn't ended in violence. Nor had he been welcomed in anyone's home. The last home he had been in a father held his children in fear as a squad of rogue Suna nin laid bleeding out around him. Though at the time he had been bound by the chains of duty. With the Mizukage watching him from just outside he couldn't interrogate the family as he usually would. Still it hadn't been required in the end. The man had been willing to share the information he needed willingly. That night a lot of people had died once they found the main camp. That was a memorable night. Since then he had done plenty of killing but only in small parties. Bandits mostly but some missing nin. A steady supply of meat to keep him supplied. Still he turned from her as he spoke in regards to her question. His voice cold and lacking any emotion one way or the other towards a feeling. He truly didn't care.

"I am not able to restrict the aura I put off. As of which I am sure you noticed upon meeting me. Since I can remember that has been my world. People do not accept monsters into their home and blame monsters for anything they don't understand. If in the event they did try and come here with torches and hanging rope, none of them would ever leave this island. So I remain apart. I do the work no one else is willing to do and our enemies fear Kirigakure for it. The kitchen is just through the fridge. Do not be frightened by what you see. For me, its just sustenance."

about then their walk would bring them to a cooler with a metal door closed. A cord running into the wall and a thermostat showing twenty degrees F. The fridge was a walk in freezer. Still his pale, claw like fingers reached out and gripped the end that opened and slid the door open. A thin mist flowed out along the ground from the heat difference. After a minute it would clear up and reveal what was inside. Sero calmly walked down the aisle between the lines of dead men and women, each still dressed like a pirate or bandit hanging from meat hooks. One hook buried under each shoulder. The table in the back was metal but still stained red and a tid bit of stringy flesh hung off the edge of it frozen there to the metal. All of this Sero ignored as he passed through. After a moment the big sliding door would automatically close behind them locking away any heat. Still Sero made it to the other side of the room and pushed on a handle to a slightly more average door. Opening it to enter into a kitchen that was, obviously never used. Dust coated the table and counters and the fridge was covered in next to a sink with only the remains of some dish shattered within. Even the dish was covered in dust. Only the oven looked used. Which at least indicated he cooked his meat. Still he moved to the spider web coated cupboard and opened it as a couple of large spiders skittered away from him. Reaching in he pulled out an old, obviously expired box of tea before pulling out the equally old teapot. It appeared that he intended to make such tea for her.

The moment he blew off the dust on the tea pot though the lights suddenly cut out. The dim flashes of the storm the only light in the room through the darkened window of the second floor kitchen. His grey eyes slowly lifted to look around before he quietly set the tea pot down. "Odd. I typically have a shielded generator running in the basement. The storm should of had no effect on it." With a shifting movement he slid to the window like a snake and peered out. The grey in his eyes seeming to shine like silver. Still a sigh came from his lips as one moment he was by the window and the next he would be right in front of her. Mere inches away as those eyes looked into hers. "The squad of men coming in the front door wearing tactical gear. What do you know of them? Are you an advanced scouting unit?"

3922

Riss silently listened as Sero answered her question. The more he talked about the aura he put off and the kind of work he did, the more Riss understood him. Though it was never really talked about openly, ANBU work and assassinations was necessary in almost every village. Riss had never killed anyone, and found it hard to envision. Being a Genin and aspiring to rise in the ranks would eventually subject her to death and killing, but having the concept thrown at her all because she met a member of Kiri’s ANBU was a bit much for her at the moment. With a shake of her head, she followed behind Sero as he walked towards a large metal door. As the door was opened, a cold air brushed past her and gave her chills. When Sero mentioned to not be frightened when walking into the fridge, she took a deep breath and hoped she wouldn’t do opposite. Taking a few steps in, she let out a small gasp at the sight. As she passed the rows of bodies, she began to think what Sero did with them. Seeing as they were in the fridge, she could only assume Sero ate them, but could only hope that he stored them here for some reason. Given what he said about ‘sustenance’, the former seemed to become truer by the second. Exhaling a small stream of her breath, she clutched her hands to her chest and continued behind Sero with her head down. The path to the kitchen was frightening, just like every other part of Sero’s abode. At this point, Riss wanted to leave the cold fridge and head into the kitchen as quickly as possible. Entering the kitchen, she found a spot to stand and wait. Watching as her host took out the teapot and the box of tea made her a little uneasy about drinking any of it. From where she was, she could tell it was old and way past its expiration date.

As the lights suddenly went dark, Riss’ heart sunk slightly. The creepiness of Sero and his home were enough to scare off plenty of others, yet the addition of a sudden darkness made her think Sero had planned this. It was only when he began to talk about the generator in his basement, as well as the storm outside did she start to think that he didn’t cause the blackout. Turning to look around the kitchen, she blinked a few times to get her eyes adjusted to the darkness. With a quiet stare, she brought her attention back to Sero, not aware of how quickly he moved. Riss cringed slightly and took a small step backwards seeing that Sero had gotten uncomfortably close to her. Though the sudden movement in front of her put her off, she was still able to catch what Sero said. “Men in tactical gear? I honestly have no clue what you’re talking about. And I’m not a scout. You were the one found me and invited me in anyway. Even if I was a scout, why would I risk becoming the next one hanging in that fridge?!” Riss sounded a bit panicked, not because she was a part of the squad, but because of what Sero might do if he didn’t believe her. Backing away slightly, she put a hand in between the two of them as a way of keeping him from getting any closer.

[3493]

Sero watched as she reacted to his sudden interrogation. His cold grey eyes stared into hers without pity or remorse for anything he might do to her if he didn't believe her. His head tilted as she stepped back in a way that didn't seem normal. His expression showed nothing towards what he thought of her words. Flat like the face of the dead. His grey eyes never seemed to blink to a point that it was almost a surprise when they shifted in a sudden movement to look at the hand between them. Slowly he would stop slouching and raise to his full height. He had grown as he aged to a young man and now he showed it. Somehow even though he was only slightly taller then her he seemed to fill the room around him and become all there was in the room. His robes parted as a hand shifted into them along his Anbu armor before gripping something. Slowly a glint of metal showed as he pulled out a kunai. But this wasn't like the basic Kunai. Somehow it looked sharper, more deadly. With a flick of his wrist the kunai flew between them in an instant before slamming into the table burying there. Even that didn't seem to have a chance to dull the blade. Attached to the hook on the bottom was a flash bomb. He reached into his pocket again and pulled out a twin pair of radio neck bands. Still not activated. When he spoke his eyes seemed to stare into her with no sense of humanity behind them.

"Then these men do not know who they challenge yet. I will welcome them as is custom to those who come here and draw weapons. Take that Kunai and hide yourself. When someone makes it here your best hope is that combination. They appear to be wearing body armor and using night vision goggles. Use the flash bomb to blind them and go for the back of the neck. Sever their brain stem. Whatever chains bound you to your humanity you must shatter to survive here. End them or they end you. As for me....they have crossed into my domain. I will instruct them with vigor the error of that choice. If you need to contact me turn that on and tune to channel two. Mind the screaming."

With that he turned from her. His left hand slipped down and drew out the double barreled kunai launcher from his holster. He clicked it open to check both barrels were loaded before he slowly rotated his neck. Something about that dark aura of his seemed to change. It was as if the whole building suddenly grew colder. Something about him suddenly seemed to be beyond the idea of human. Something about him had changed. The moisture in the air suddenly felt heavy and thick like blood. His killing intent flooded the room and down the hall and for the first time he seemed to feel almost happy in a sick way. People were coming to try and kill him and he felt like he was enjoying the idea. The door to the fridge slid open and closed behind him. For once it felt like it was easy to breath again. He wasn't going to kill her but those men might. It was a wise idea to find an advantageous position and set the flash bomb as needed.

While Sero entered the main entry way he watched with grey eyes as he blended into the grey wall. His right hand lifted and moved across his face. The gruesome mask forming over his face once more as he prepared. A team had split into two forces. One had moved straight back as a group of six. The other group of six was moving up the stairs. Each of them wearing vests and bracers with night vision goggles. All shouldering Senbon launchers with what appeared to be an auto-load mechanism. Laser sights scanned along the walls and around them as they kept eyes out. It was time to introduce himself Sero Decided. Quietly he lifted Final goodbyes up with his left hand and balanced the barrel on his right arm aiming down the sights. Pulling back the hammers the kunai locked back ready to be fired. Without realizing he was doing it his grey tongue slipped out and wet his lips before he pulled the first and then adjusted aim a second later to pull the second trigger. Two kunai flew threw the air with a fwing fwing noise. The squad coming up the stairs looked up as two of them caught a kunai in the throat before falling through the railing to the ground below. Three of the other four followed the trajectory before opening fire Were Sero was standing. Sero moved back into the shadows as a dozen Senbon slammed into the drywall where he had been a moment ago. The fourth man however ran passed them all in an effort to find high ground and spot him. Unaware he was heading towards the fridge.

4779

Riss jumped at the sound of the kunai slamming into the table. She was almost sure it would have been aimed for her head, and make the exact same sound if it stuck into her skull. As surprising as it was to see, Riss simply watched as Sero pulled out a set of gear for her to use. Her mind began to race as she thought of what was about to happen. Straightening her back and quietly listening to Sero as he spoke to her, the cold chill quickly returned. When she first entered onto the ANBU’s land, the intention of murdering someone hadn’t crossed her mind. In fact, the concept of death was the farthest thing she would think of. Before she had a chance to protest about anything her host had said, she was left standing alone in the kitchen, wearing the radio neck band and clutching the kunai to her chest. It was nerve racking thinking that people were coming to challenge Sero, or even try to kill him. She had no doubt that Sero would be able to take care of the men, but if one or two were to slip past him, they would most likely end up finding her and see her as an enemy as well. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to calm her mind.

Loud footsteps echoed towards Riss as she turned her head to the fridge. Sero had gone off in that direction, yet she didn’t believe he was fully capable of taking on multiple enemies and ending them in a matter of minutes. Taking a step towards the fridge, she quietly opened the large metal door and reluctantly stepped inside. The footsteps had stopped, and the only ones she could hear were her own. Glancing around, she tried not to stare at the dead bodies that were hung up, yet still scanned for the source of the noise. A small flash of a figure followed by muffled footsteps caused Riss to jump and bring her attention to where she last heard it. Yet when she looked in the direction of the sound, there was no one to be found. Turning once more, a full shape of a man was rushing directly at her. Upon seeing this, Riss quickly brought up the kunai in defense. She could only hope it was Sero, who had taken care of the intruders and was now returning to her as fast as he could. But based on the speed, she started to wonder. With a quick blink and flash of a blade, she quickly realized that this wasn’t the case. The figure had a blade and was attempting to cut off Riss’ head with a single slice. Reacting as quickly as she could, Riss brought the blade up and effectively knocked the attack away.

Another slice made it through her defenses and cut into her upper arm. Biting the bottom of her lip, she ignored the pain in her arms and brought her defenses back up. Another two strikes came for her, the first being deflected by her kunai, but the second slicing past her shoulder. Blood started to ooze out of her wound, staining her sleeve. Gritting her teeth, she knew if she continued to take hits, she would be dead before long. Catching the man’s arm and digging her feet into the fridge’s hard floor, she blocked his blade and swiped her kunai across the side of his hand. The cut was deep, and caused the man to drop his weapon. Part of it may have been the man underestimating Riss’ abilities, but it mainly revolved around dumb luck. The man had successfully and surprisingly been disarmed, but that did not halt his attack. Reaching at her neck, the man forced his hand around her throat and began to squeeze, lifting her up in the process. With one hand on her neck and the other holding her hand with the kunai, she felt almost helpless. Gasping for air, Riss struggled in the man’s grip, trying to force herself away. Feeling the life being crushed from her wind pipe, she quickly reached for the flash bomb Sero had previously given her. Gripping the flash bomb and shutting her eyes, Riss threw it downwards and felt the blinding light flash between her and her attacker. The grip on her neck suddenly loosened, causing her to drop to her feet and regain her hold on the kunai. Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, she could see the man holding a hand up to his face, trying to recover from the blinding light of the flash bomb. Without a second thought, Riss focused in on the man, only thinking of how the man tried to kill her and how she didn’t want to die. Digging her foot into the floor once more, Riss leapt forward and forced the Kunai into the side of the man’s neck. Getting in close and supporting herself underneath the man’s weight, she ripped the kunai across his throat. Blood gushed out, splashing on Riss’ arms, face, and clothing. Pulling the kunai and herself away from the man, she snapped out of her rage filled trance and quietly looked down at the pool of blood slowly growing underneath the man. With a gasp, she fell back and inched herself away from the body.

Reaching up to the radio neck band, she clicked the knob to channel two and tried to speak into it. She mouthed the words she wanted to say, yet nothing came out. She was in shock that she had just killed someone. Even though it was in self-defense, to actually be able to kill another human being was a new and terrifying experience for her. Exhaling in an attempt to calm herself, a stream of cold breath came out and disappeared into the air. After repeating this a few times, she focused on the radio once again. “Sero… I…” She paused, continuing to stare at the man’s face. “One got through… and I… got him…” her voice was dimmed and her words seemed to have very little emotion behind them. Bringing her hands away from the radio, she quietly brought her knees up and hugged her legs to her body.

[4536]

Sero let his grey eyes scan the fourth man as he ran passed him. In a moment he had assessed the mans capabilities. Or at least his general build and how he moved suggested some combat training. It would be interesting to see how it turned out. He felt each person in the line of work he and Riss shared needed to be given a life or death situation early on. They needed to fight and survive at the cost of their opponent to know what it meant to survive. He was curious to see who would walk out of the room. A genin of the Mist or a specialist hired by bandits, or whoever had sent them. Out of all his enemies he had done the most damage overall to bandits. It would make sense that they would be after him. However he would need a survivor for that information. He could tell the leader wasn't among these amateurs. Based on their level of skill they had no idea what they were walking into. Better then some but way over their head. He let the man pass him and go to that battle with Riss with the intention of letting her die if she could not handle him.

As for the rest...they were still hunting him with those weapons, they thought the darkness was their ally but Sero didn't need light to see them. Glowing green orbs moved in a pattern along the hall at the top of the stairs. They may as well have lit flares. That aside their attack had not been nearly swift enough. His eyes had adjusted to the lack of light. As the thunder lit up the room briefly he shifted back and moved next to a clock. Pulling it slowly to avoid making a noise he revealed a cut out opening into the wall and slid into it as they approached his position. Closing the clock behind him. Patiently he waited as they drew closer. As he waited he removed two things from his pockets. The first was a white and red slip of paper. The second was ten pointed little objects. A common tool used to limit movement but he had other intentions. Quietly he wrapped all ten in the white sheet of paper with symbols on it and rolled it closed before applying a tiny amount of chakra into it. It was about then that his headset buzzed to life. He heard her voice loud and clear in his ear as he switched it on. So she had won had she? Well then he should congratulate her. But first. "One moment" Was his response.

The group arrived shortly after he spoke quietly into the headset. He didn't bother turning it off again as he set his intentions in motion. He lifted his Katana from its sheath in a silent motion before aligning its tip with the wall. The space was limited but slow and careful movements prevailed. He timed it with their foot steps and the moment it was right he shoved the Katana through the dry wall into the ribs of one of the three remaining patrolling for him. He heard the man gasp in surprised before dropping to his knee's. Quickly he pulled back the Katana and pushed the paper through the hole feeding it more chakra as lights flashed on the hole. "Oh god! He is in the wall! Open fire open fire!" Sero was already moving though as senbon went ripping through the wall behind him. However none of them kept up. Now they were reloading. He smiled a sick little smile as he heard one of them move to the side of his ally and make a confused noise before a half an alarmed shout came out followed by an explosion that rocked the top floor. Only one scream echoed as it fell as the part of the floor under him had collapsed. As he landed on the floor below the scream cut off with a crunch noise. It seemed that he had finished off the top floor squad. It was time to deal with the bottom floor.

He moved along the wall before dropping through a space to the floor below holding a pipe to slow his decent and keep it quiet. He made his way to the library were he remained silent as he listened. He could hear some whispers and weapons being checked and one man on the radio. "Red squad check in...check in Red squad! Has the target been eliminated?! Red Squad? The hell is going on?" another man replied in an unsure voice. "Sir...I...what is this thing? I thought we were hunting a man? I haven't felt anything human since we got here...whatever that thing is...I don't think we are hunting it....I think its hunting us." There was a sigh from the commander but Sero had heard enough noise by then to figure where the ten men were in the room. Three men and the leader were by the door but the other six were scattered in the room. If nothing else it opened up an opportunity. He moved next to the passage by the door leading to the library and found a pipe leading to the ventilation shaft into the library. He was going to do something very cruel to these fools. They were indeed being hunted.

He pulled out the pipe with a loud crack as the men in the room were roused by the noise. But they had no time to locate the source of the strange sound. Sero focused chakra into his lungs before breathing into the pipe. The jutsu traveled up the pipe peeling away the paint on it before making it to the ventilation shaft and into the room. A heavy mist moved into the room as the men began to seek out its source. However the commander noticed the paint peeling on the wall closest to the mist even before his skin began to itch. Turning and Rushing out the door he ordered over his shoulder "Retreat! Get out of the room you fools! Our target is an Osada!" The ones who had been closest too the door caught on to what that meant quickly and booked it out the door after their commander. However as realization dawned on the others Sero burst between the two groups through the wall. Both groups saw a man covered in blood and a grey mask like a demon with dead grey eyes watching them. And then the double doors to the library closed by his hand. A tomb for the men inside. The other group made a break for the exit as the six men condemned behind those doors rushed the doors. At first they slammed against it...then the panic and screaming started....but that only lasted a couple of seconds. Soon it was silent as Sero turned and chased the remaining ones who had run. It may be silent but the men in there...they were dying in a way that their very souls screamed...In the room their clothing and flesh were melting inside and out. Skin bubbled and blood poured out of every part of them. They clawed at the door at first but soon they couldn't move. Flesh turned to jelly and gravity dragged it from their bones. A pool of something no longer identifiable as flesh flowed from under the door.

The remaining four made it outside and were running for the woods when they felt Sero again. He was close enough now to be felt. Two of them turned to face him as two Kunai whistled through the air and slammed into their shoulders of their weapon arm. Losing control of their arm right as Sero set on them. Katana flashed as it zipped between both of them and blood sprayed even as Sero was already moving passed them. One man jumped but Sero was already on him. A spinning slash with a glowing green sword slashed the mans back and flesh and bone melted from the spine. The man gave a cry of pain and confusion as the pain faded to nothing before Sero drove both feet into his back. The kick sending the man spiraling down and sending Sero further forward only to let the man be impaled on the fountain. His blood already filling the fountain from the gaping wound before the light faded from his eyes. The leader Sero left for last.

His jump landed him in front of the man. There Sero stood cutting off his escape with a tilted head. The man slid to a stop as he raised his weapon. Sero didn't move for the moment as the commander held the weapon aimed at Sero. Then the thunder peeled. The courtyard lit up and blinded the man as he pulled the trigger. Sero moved at the light and slid to the left as the trigger was pulled. Senbon flew through the air at nothing before Sero slammed down his Katana on the weapon with enough force to send it skidding away. The commander jumped back at the impact before removing his night-vision goggles only to find Sero had not pursued him. Sero stood two meters away with his head tilted. After a second Sero lifted his Katana and slid it into its sheath again. He stood there with his head tilted not making a noise. Those dead grey eyes watched the man as he pulled out his combat knife. Readying himself shakily....it was then the commander shouted out "What?! Why aren't you coming at me? What do you want from me?!" Suddenly Sero left his vision. And then he heard Sero behind him as he froze where he stood. The cold words coming from Sero. "Want? I already took your squad from you. You will answer my questions and only then...will you join them." The man screamed and tried to turn to slash at Sero but his wrist was caught by a grip he could not break. A pale hand reached out and struck him across the temple and then all went black.

A few moments later Sero was dragging the unconscious commander into the lobby by the collar as he radioed in to Riss. "All clear. Feel free to join the interrogation if you wish...when you wish." With that he used chakra walking to move up the wall with his subject. With two of his remaining Kunai he set to work nailing the man there. Up on the wall by his shoulders. The first nail into the mans shoulder woke him up with a horrified scream but before he could struggle the second nail found his other shoulder driving through the flesh between shoulder blade and chest and pinning him there. He sobbed out then between screams. But Sero was a patient man. He could wait for Riss's response before continuing the interrogation. After all perhaps she was like him. Perhaps some small part of her was designed to do this too. Another like him would be something to behold.

6648

Slowly standing, Riss continued to stare at the man she just killed as she moves past his motionless body. Halting for a moment, she looks down at the body once more before gripping her blade. Turning the point towards the top of the dead man’s spine, she sticks the sharp edge into his back, simply to make sure her assailant was dead. Biting her lip slightly, she turns her head away and heads towards the Fridge’s door. Gripping at the side of her head, she could feel the pressure of a headache pressing against the side of her skull. It was an odd feeling, but one she ignored as she continued to carefully navigate her way through the fridge. Riss replayed the scene of her attack over and over in her head. It was an image she wouldn’t forget anytime soon. Just as she became lost in her own thoughts, her radio began to make noise.

Brining a hand up to her radio necklace, she silently listens. An interrogation? Her mind seemed to urge her to find Sero and participate in the questioning, completely aware that horrible things would be done to the intruder. Part of her simply wanted to leave Sero to his horrific torturing of the man and go home, but after killing for the very first time, she was curious. Riss’ curiosity got her into many less than likable situations, yet her thoughts seemed completely lucid and set on seeing this interaction with Sero though. She could get answers, or perhaps get to explain herself to Sero. Wiping a small amount of blood off her cheek, she stepped out of the freezer, blood still dripping off the blade she had with her. The cold lingered with her, feeling almost similar to Sero’s aura, yet he was nowhere near where she was.

The echo of a blade piercing both wall and flesh gave her hints on which direction to go. Of course, the screams and howls of pain and suffering were a good indicator as well. Riss’ own footsteps resonated down the hall as she tried to find Sero. It didn’t take long to follow the panicked gasps for air and the loud yelling that followed them. Stopping in the doorframe, Riss took a deep breath before entering and standing next to her host. She noticed Sero first. He was unharmed and obviously took care of the rest of the men, seeing as the only survivor was hanging by his shoulders. The survivor however was in poor shape. There was little to no chance he would endure the pain that Sero would inflict, but on the off chance he did, his life wouldn’t last for long. In a way, Riss was glad to her the ANBU was fine.

Riss on the other hand looked to be quite a mess. Having gone through the scuffle with her previous assailant and coming out victorious, her appearance quickly gave away what happened to her. The amount of blood and the placement of it showed that she was cut a few times, yet the majority of the red blotches were the man’s. Bruised areas on her neck showed that she had been strangled, and rather violently at that. Finally, her expression was calm and collected if anything. Most others would have been in shock, yet she seemed to be either fine with what she had to do, or was hiding it very well. “There’s a man lying dead in your fridge now… I sliced his throat, and cut into his back for good measure…” Her voice seemed to mimic Sero’s in a way. There were still hints of emotion and shakiness in her tone, yet they were rather hard to pick out. A look in her eye seemed dark, but at the same time, willing to remain in the room for duration of the torture. In fact, it almost seemed as though Riss had some questions of her own for the man. She wouldn’t overstep her boundaries, seeing that she was on Sero’s property and wasn’t willing to make demands of Sero. Especially because he still intimidates her ever so slightly.

[5225]

Sero watched as she approached him with dull grey eyes. He didn't reveal any emotions towards her accomplishments one way or another. He never seemed to waver from that neutrality. If anything he never wavered from the moment she had met him on the bridge until now. He was still that monster in aura alone and the remains of the invaders proved he was a monster in battle as well. The stench of burned flesh and blood filled the room but still he didn't seem to notice it at all.  Instead that dead gaze twitched between her wounds. The bruises on her neck first and then quickly to the marks from the blade. He observed her current status as damaged but maintainable as useful. Still he had taken note of the way her voice shook earlier and had heard it before. At least once before when he had driven Nozomi to killing. She had the same sound of despair in her voice then. He listened as she spoke up and mimicked his tone. His head tilted as for once he showed some interest. Something about mimicking his dead tones seemed to trigger a little bit of curiosity in him. As if he was witnessing something he liked. Still when he spoke it was like a growl from beyond the depths of the underworld. Little more then a whisper in tone but loud enough to carry like a normal volume.

"Then he shall not need to be moved far. You did well when tested little one. This world has no mercy for anyone willing to pick up a blade. If you fight then you will eventually die. That said, death is the one thing all things have in common. It is better to die standing then cowering from any force. If you embrace the will to kill, you will gain the strength to survive. As a small token of a reward for your victory. I will teach you one thing before you go. A bit of information for gathering intelligence."

He nodded to her before moving over to a strange contraption. With a loud squeal of old metal grinding in need of being oiled he pulled open a box. Without a word he tossed a couple of pieces of wood inside with some coals and paper and finished it off with some sort of thick smelling liquid. Lastly he lifted his hand and a burst of flame burst forth into the box. Within a second it burst into an inferno with a shower of sparks before Sero closed the metal door once more. With that done he moved further along it and pulled out a Kunai placing it into one of the compartment slits on top. It clicked into place before he moved to the back of it and pulled a lever up and down. The lever pulled a bag open and closed and fanned the inferno. From where she stood she could feel the heat of it on her skin. Then Sero slipped on a glove and pulled out the Kunai. The hilt was hot under the glove but the metal itself was red hot...just below melting point. He moved to the man and watched as the man looked between him and the blade in terror as Sero spoke to her.

"The lesson for the day is this. Most individuals do small cuts on just the skin to avoid letting the subject bleed out. However the more sensitive nerve endings are deeper then the outer skin. Heating the blade like so allows you to make long, deep cuts without the threat of death. This of course will probably have permanent damage to your subject but you mustn't allow them disillusion of escape anyway. They must not believe it to begin with. They must know their fate is on your whim. Sever the ability to use their legs. As pain overtakes hope...answers will come forth. You may go now. Think on your experiences of the day." With that Sero set to work on the man. Flesh sizzled and screams echoed as the man wailed for mercy to a silent Sero carving into him without any mind to the noise. Sero hadn't even asked a question yet. He wouldn't waste his breath. When the time for asking questions came, the man would not be capable of holding anything back. Sero would know everything.

Exit thread

7386
D rank – C rank: 3000 words
C rank – B rank: 4000 words
386 remaining

Taking off the necklace radio, she placed it on the table along with the blade Sero gave her. “Thank you.” The blade was rather useful and played a very important role in saving her life and ending another’s. Though she was put through the experience of taking a life, it was a rush and something she had never experienced before. In a sick kind of way, she enjoyed it. Standing up straight and listening intently on Sero’s words of wisdom, she nodded. Having fire jutsus at her disposal would allow her to take the advice to a whole new level. Though the ideas came to her rather quickly, she remained silent. After her host was finished speaking, she let out a soft exhale, turned, and began to walk. Riss paused in the doorway and turned her head to the right. “I’ll be back for that tea.” A small grin appeared on her face as she mentioned the tea. She found it somewhat funny that she brought up the tea. It would give her a reason to return and possibly question Sero a bit more.

It was almost a struggle to go through the door and leave Sero to his own doings. Taking the life of one man made her interested in seeing another life snuffed out, but she felt as though something was tugging at her arms to move on. She was somewhat willing to stay for the torture. Though something might have snapped in her mind that made her immediately desensitized to death and killing, a small part of her humanity forced her to continue on. Gritting her teeth, a chill ran up her spine as the man’s tortured screams echoed down the hall. Instead of ignoring them like last time, she winced at the pained screeches.

Walking through the hallways, she passed the fridge and slowed her pace. Riss was almost tempted to go back in to see the dead man’s face. Putting a hand on the door, she sighed and pulled it shut. What she did in the fridge would leave scars both mentally and physically. Brining a hand up to the cut she received on her upper shoulder, she cringed as her fingers glanced over it. Now that her adrenaline rush was finally coming down, the pains from the wounds she received started to sting. Hopefully her mother would be able to stitch the cuts and wouldn’t ask too many questions about them when she returned home.

Exiting the front door, she noticed the massive bloodstains, no doubt in her mind that these were the other. Her conscience and thoughts of the horrors she watched and committed finally caught up to her. Bending forward and arching her back, Riss began to cough. She could feel her stomach churning as the images of blood and the dead man’s face flashed in her mind. Her head hurt and she felt as though she was about to vomit. With a deep breath and a small shiver, she stood up and started following the path towards the bridge. Looking down at her feet as she slowly shuffled onto the bridge, the cold feeling she felt the entire time she was with Sero seemed to lift and heat began to warm her up. Glancing back across the bridge, Riss grinned, almost happy she witnessed the terrors of Sero’s abode. As a ninja, she would have to get used to killing and death. And albeit was rather early to witness such things, they helped her grow and figure out something about herself. With a bow of her head, Riss stepped off the bridge and headed back for home.

[5831 words]

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