Kai walked along the slums looking a little anxious, but mostly perturbed. He hated this place. The way few people could hope to hate any place… Loathes it more like. And it wasn’t the looks of the place, but rather because he had been here more than he cared to admit when his mother was off getting drugs. Kai could Not help but allow his hate of those times to leak into his feelings for this place. He loathed it because of his feel is about his mother. It was a den of crime and crooks. And Kai couldn’t help hoping that when he was strong enough he could come back and make these slums a more peaceful place. As of yet, drug dealers and the like didn’t know or fear him. But one day, he hoped that would change. But he was too cautious to be upfront about his loathing those types yet. When he took missions, he did his best not to be seen, or at least be recognized. He had already killed one drug dealer. It had been his first real mission.

That mission had put him out of commission for a couple weeks. Dear God the nightmares. Supposedly it was like that for everyone when they took a human life for the first time. Excluding people with no sense of guilt. Psychopaths,sociopaths, etcetera. It had been when He had met Lyralei in the Dragon’s Tongue that he had first found relief. Not because of her, but rather it had simply been something that happened in him and she had just happened to be around. If any person had helped, it had been Li. And as their relationship has begun to grow, the nightmares faded. It helped not being alone at night after all. Now, when Kai dreamed about the drug dealer, he dreamed about the broken families drugs and drug dealers and their ilk caused. And he dreamed of those who might have been saved from that fate. Kai wondered how Li coped with the emotional baggage that mission had given Kai. Kai also wondered how it would be for Li, when he first killed someone. But Kai’d be there for him of course. He would make sure of it.

A wind picked up for a moment and blew some sand with it. Fortunately it was just a wind. Everyone knew true sandstorm, especially in some parts of the desert were deadly. As it blend Kai’s clothes rippled softly. He was wearing a sandy-beige pair of pants, with a similar color button up T shirt. Both had darker browns outlining them, which matches his belt. On said belt there were several pouches, most empty. There was a kunai and some senbon in some. The straps on his back were the same darker brown. The straps kept a pair of tonfa on his back. Both were again a sandy brown. If one looked carefully, they could see that the tonfa were metal, and the sandy brown was a coat of paint. It was a matt color, which didn’t reflect light. Varying somethg reflective in the desert was just asking to get spotted. But you might need spotted too. Which is why another pouch held a mirror. The tonfa had caps on the ends which blended in fairly well unless you saw them up close. Why? Kai's tonfa were spiked on the ends. But… You don’t want to hurt yourself when you run after all right? And besides… the caps were sturdy, and would allow them to be used for soaring without accidentally stabbing someone. But that was were the sandy color scheme ended. Kai’s hair was black, and when the light hit it right, appeared to be a blue pretending to be black. The same went for Kai’s lips. Kai also had unique eyes. The scores were pitch black instead of white. This made the startling blue of her iris’s stand out still more due to the contrast. It freaked some people out. Many thought it might be a doujutsu, but nothing could be further from the truth. Kai had hyperpigmentation issues which led to all the black. Add to all that the black-blue nail polish and Kai could be mistaken for a goth, if only the clothes didn't give it away. In short, if his hair, eyes, etc. Didn't get him stared at, his utterly androgynous looks might. People hate not being able to automatically gender someone. Let alone when an adrogynous person kept shifting gender identities from day to day. Kai was feeling masculine today, though perhaps that was obvious.

Kai looked around again, and sighed softly. ”So, what are your plans for the day Li? Anything exciting? Other than hanging around in the slums with me?” Kai smiled semi-contentedly and spoke lightly, adding the tiniest bit of sarcasm to the last but. Li knew that Kai didn’t exactly like this place, despite how often he came here.

Word Count: 827

Li was walking down the street through the slums just to have a change of view instead of being in the being in the high populated area where he always walks around. He thought maybe a change might be good and maybe something interesting will happen and even if nothing happens being away from the groups of people feels good. Today he is wearing his usual clothes being his black T-shirt that has two dragon both red and blue and his desert camo cargo pants and his over coat with a lightning bolt design. He Also has his headphones around his neck because he was walking with kaiya and he wanted to make sure he could hear. This time he has no suckers on him which really annoys him but with lack of ryo he has decided to cut back. He currently has his sword and of course some shuriken and kunai in his begs he has attached to his jeans belt loops like most ninja carry just in case. even if it calls for it he has Kaiya by his side who he knows would always have his back whether the enemy is stronger or not. He doesnt really like that though, He would rather have kaiya stay out of trouble and what not being the over protective person he is but he knows the kaiya can make choices as well so he has no choice but to let kaiya do whatever.

He heard Kaiya ask him why they were there and turned to her to respond "I thought a change of scenery and getting away from the crowds of people would be nice." He said with a smile while looking at her. He could tell by how she looked and sounded that she didnt like being here and he knew why but he also knew as hard as it may be she needs to be able to stand being in places she is not comfortable in. "Besides its not like anything is going to happen and even if you know i would fight by your side. unless you think i'm too weak and will be more of a burden." He said jokingly still looking at her. He knew what her answer would be but he loves messing with her even if she is acting more masculine rather then feminine. He just loves the look on her face. When she starts getting defensive is even what he likes the most. there were times he made her so embarrassed she lost her words and was stumbling on them. she calls it being mean while he thinks its funny and cute and she knows it which makes her even more embarrassed. Being here though he probably shouldn't not knowing how her feelings of this place may make her react back especially since it was his choice to come here. he knew if it ere up to her this place would have not even been suggested let alone even thought of.

He kept walking thinking about how this place could be cleaned not only dirt and garbage but criminals. as He kept walking he kept thinking to himself of how this could be a bad idea almost to the point that he would turn around and go back but he knew that if he turned back then they might not come back and besides its not like this place is pure evil. he always remembers a saying he ounce heard. "Even in the darkest of places there can be light even if you have to fight to find it." He just kept walking hoping that kaiya stays calm as they go deeper into the slums where most criminals hide and hang about. He started to become more cautious as the threat level around this area is higher then anywhere else. He keeps his right hand on the sheath of his sword being ready for anything. As he kept walking He would look around and listening to everything to be as aware to his surroundings as possible but also trying to hide the fact that he is worried to not get kaiya worried as well and to also hopefully not look to weak. Looking weak can make others especially here feel like they can take you and even rob you ninja or not.

He made his choice now is not the time to go back now. He wont let his worry's and protectiveness get to him besides who says anything bad would happen. its not always chaotic here anyways so who knows it might be peaceful. "You ok kaiya?" He asked making sure her hate for this place hasn't gotten to her. hopefully her mood doesnt turn and she starts to get more hostile then usuall and he really hates that..but just as how she can't control him completely he can't controls her...all he can do is be there for her.

Words=836

Ryu was minding his own business for the most part for the day it would seem. His men were fortifying and repairing the bar so it was all busy work he didn't care for. He was the hammer and the anvil in the group anyway while they were simply the metal scraps he was trying to form into a usable item. Good for numbers but not great in a fight. All of it was a simplistic thing in nature but he still felt tainted using people. It wasn't like he was tricking them or anything though. They knew they were his underlings and not his equals and they were fine with that. He was a little annoyed with how lost they were without him but he was done sitting on the sidelines anyway. Far above them he heard thunder peal as a breeze picked up a little bit of sand and blew it passed him. It was colder than usual which meant it was likely going to rain for the first time in a while. His blue eye looked up to try and gaze into the darkness waiting for another peel of light in vain to judge just how much rain he could expect. The mountain range of Iwa to the north broke up a lot of the rain clouds before it reached so far south but this was moving north anyway. Moisture from the ocean burned off enough to actually form rain. Interesting.

Ryu himself was walking down the street in combat boots with the steel toe on the outside of the boot. Blue jeans tucked over the top to hide the laces with a black belt holding them up. Ever since that one kid pantsed him in a fight it seemed oddly necessary. Still he was wearing a white tank top and his usual black jean coat with the front open and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Each hand had gloves on with the fingers poorly cut off and black bandanas wrapped around his wrists to hide his prison numbers. His hair was tied back in a black wrap but a few long strands of blonde hair hung out anyway. His tanned skin and tribal tattoo's seemed to shine in the light a little but he didn't pay anyone noticing any mind. Over his right eye his eye patch sat where it always did. Hiding the abnormality which was his purple eye. He hated having it and hated anyone who knew he had it even more. However in between his lips he was rolling a toothpick as he was out of smokes and on his way to pick out more. Maybe a cheaper brand this time since he had less funds coming in from his business with the gang and all. Still he was in a mood since he didn't have his nicotine. Which is likely why what happened next went down so harshely for the individual in question.

Ryu rounded a corner and moved to go down the usual alley he snuck through to get to the smoke shop as the light flickered on and he paused. His eye drifted to a lady that seemed a little out of it, younger in age...probably about fourteen and sickly looking. The man was older and had a beard with shifty eyes. Ryu just happened to walk in as the man passed a bag of crystal over. Ryu's eye narrowed as he realized the drug exchange going down in his turf and planted his boots. With a surge of strength he cleared the three meters between him and the two and snatched the bag mid exchange before standing on the other side of them. It took the man a moment to realize what was going on but the girl was already running. The man turned to Ryu enraged as Ryu held up the bag in his hand before crushing it and letting its ground up bits fall to the ground and stepping on it. Grinding it into the cement. With a snarl the man growled out "You just cost me a sale and some product mr....thats gonna cost you." Ryu simply smirked and cracked his neck back and forth as he was more than ready to give someone dealing meth in his slums a royal level beating.

727

Kai shook her head slightly and both sighed and smiled as Li spoke. He was right. And sometimes it was best to be away from the more active places. Besides, he may dislike the slums with a passion, but it was a biased dislike she knew. And so he tried to give it a chance by putting aside his bias. Kai smiled back in what Kai hoped was a reasuring way. There was no place that was all back And that was the truth. Besides, the people in the slums needed help more than anyone else. That much couldn’t be denied. It was harsh living with dealers on the streets. And because the slums themselves had a bad reputation, it only naturally followed that people treated it’s residence with more caution. People suspected people who lived in the slums more than they would otherwise. And that was entirely biased. But it went both ways Kai supposed. It’s not like those who were not wealthy didn’t have predjudaces against those who were. It was hard for those with little money to avoid suspecting those with more money. And there was resentment there. Kai had been a victim of that resentment himself in the past. But now that his situation wasn’t so desperate and he had steady work as a genin, he had mostly gotten over it.

”True enough, true enough. And besides… life isn’t always pleasant. And I’ll be spending enough time here considering that I usually go out of my way to take missions regarding crime and drugs.” Kai smiled mischievously as jealous that last bit, and cocked his head toward Li as he said so. Kai knew Li probably didn’t approve of that either. But… Kai was a ninja and so was Li, so it wasn’t like he could readily avoid struggle and conflict. ”Heh. More like if I would just and up holding your back. You're the aggressive one with his hand on his sword.” Kai said that last bit in a half whisper. It was clear why he was doing that. And it wasn’t lost on Kai. Sure Kai had a weapon, but he wasn’t the one actively holding his hands on it is it could be drawn at a moment's notice. That said as Kai's tonfa were currently strapped to his back… Well.. It would be quite awkward to hold his hands on those and look odd. Besidesn a sword was more overly threatening. And more subtly, Li was the weapons expert,not Kai. Kai went for martial arts when he had to fight up close. Muay Boran was Kai's style of choice.

It wasn’t anywhere near as well known as it's offspring, Muay Thai. Muay Boran was a martial art and combat style. Muay Thai was the version adapted for professional fighting. Fighting that had rules and regulations. The two were different because of this. Muay Thai fighters didn’t need to protect their groin, worry about headbuts etc. Because those were against the rules. If Thai was the art of 8 limbs, Boran was the art of 9 limbs. Kai let out an audible giggle for a moment. ”Sorry. I was just imagining how non threatening I would be with a sword.” Kai smiled playfully and said this in a smaller,lower voice so as to not be overheard. Tonga aided tsijutsu fist and elbow blows, that’s why she had them. But he didn't know the first thing about swordplay.

Kai shook his head slightly to clear it and went back to looking around. A guy wearing some rather odd clothes including a bandana or something similar on his wrist and an eye patch was walking on the other side of the road, seeming to turn into an alley. A light flickered and Kai grew suddenly rigid. Someone was selling drugs to a young lady. Kai wasn’t as close to them as the eye patch wearing guy, but Kai could see the girl looked sickly. Withdrawls no doubt. If Kai hadn't been stiff before he was now, his entire attention on the scene. But… the last thing Kai wanted to do was get Li roped into a fight. Fortunately, whatever his motives, the other guy dashed through and snatched the bsgn and made quite a show of destroying it. Kai doubted his motives but, that was typical. He wasn’t true to with people he didn’t know and who hadn’t proven himself. Nevertheless, he was glad someone had intervened. The sickly girl ran, and ran right in Kai and Li’s direction. At the very least, Kai would try to find her some other time and take her to some kind of rehab center. For that reason if nothing else, Kai studied her as she ran towards them. Kai might hate dealers, but he had some pity for people like her.

Word Count: 812
Total Word Count: 827+812=1,639

OOC -Is this thread over?

As Li was walking listening to Kaiya speak he could not help but smile. She is right she is not that good with a sword but even though his skill is with a sword that does not mean that other weapons are not as useful. if she has enough skill with her choice of weapon she could do a lot. He knew that Kaiya could hold her own no matter the situation whether she is being her soft giggly self or her manly ready to fight self. Even though he Knows this he still would rather his life being in danger then hers. "You do not need a sword to be threatening. There are lots of people who can take people weaponless even against those with swords or other weapons." He said with a smile. What he said was true though. Many great ninjas barely even use shuriken and kunai let alone other weapons while others do not use jutsu's. Its all about how you use your strengths and weaknesses that determine a fight and how it ends. That is why he does missions and practices as much as he can to become stronger and be able to defend those he loves.

As he kept walking he could see that something caught her attention and looked to see a girl run towards them away from a drug deal being stopped by a random stranger who just happened to be there. He could tell it was disturbing her a lot and knew of her past with all of this but he also knew that they as ninjas needed to intervene and take the dealer to jail. "Come on you know we have to take the dealer to jail dear." He said looking at her before walking up to the dealer and the stranger. The dealer looked like just like most dealers do and did not seem too threatening but the stranger was more of an unknown threat. he did not know whether he could trust him or not. yes he stopped a drug deal like most good people do but does not mean he did not do it for his own gain in some way or if he had some beef with the dealer and thought that disrupting his sale would be a good way to get back at him. he just did not know but he could tell that it may get nasty if no one intervenes."You do know its illegal to have drugs let alone Dealing them out to the public" He said with a before Looking at the stranger with the eye Patch. "I do not know your intentions but still i have to thank you for stopping him from giving the innocent girl those drugs. By the way whats your Name sir?" He asked before Getting ready just in case the dealer trys to run seeing he is out numbered or worse and start a fight turning this into a mess that could be avoided.

WC=512
(Made it short cause of how long i made others wait. sorry)

Ryu could taste the mans fear and frustration in the air at being confronted in such a way. Loss of product in the slums was costly. Each dollar gripped in undying hands as they strove just to survive. However survival in the slums was only for the strong...not for those who manipulated the weak to suit their needs. At least that was what Ryu was changing it into. His turf covered a dozen blocks now and people were learning to stay out of it. This douche bag must of been in some dire need of cash if he met to sell here. Ryu gripped his fist as the man growled at him and his knuckles audibly popped over the grinding of the leather. He was ready for a fist fight with the guy and there was little chance of it actually being competition. After all in a brawl Ryu was pretty good. His martial arts skill making it so he hardly needed ninjutsu for anything other than intimidation. Still his blue eye stared into the mans as the guy stepped forward before stopping and looking to the side. A ploy to distract Ryu? No...the worry in his eyes was real now. Ryu stepped back a couple steps to force distance between them before glancing himself. Two armed individuals were standing there. Watching them.

For the moment Ryu wasn't entirely sure what to make of them. One carried some sort of sticks on their back and he couldn't figure the gender. They stood tall and lean which meant they were likely fast and good with a fight. The other was a young man with headphones around his neck. However the eyes were easily drawn away from that by the sword at his hip. Both of them were armed and neither were wearing a headband. They could be thugs coming into his territory to take it for another gang. If so someone with resources was already moving against the howling Jackals. However his tattoo was hidden for now. He could be easily described if they were looking for him but no gang symbol to give it away as it was concealed under his coat. If they were going to start trying to push their weight around his territory though he sure wished he had brought his one kunai. He wasn't allowed to own weapons due to his ex convict status but he kept one hidden on his person usually. He had just left it behind. Against weapon users that would be problematic. Still his thoughts were answered as one of them stepped forward.

The young man spoke of having to take the dealer to jail and spoke in a polite tone which made Ryu hunch his shoulders and sigh. Not even from the slums and a sense of justice eh? These two had to be shinobi. However for them to be walking the slums and planning arrests for illegal activities was odd. The slums was to costly to fix so shinobi usually kept to themselves only coming in to remind the people they were in charge. Ryu would glance back to the drug dealer who was inching back and preparing to run before looking the young shinobi in the eye as his name was inquired for. A good deed getting his name called out eh? Figures it would be his luck to get between two shinobi and a drug dealer. Truth was though he needed to set the example of no drug policy on his turf. If they wanted to test him on that he could at least make it a gamble if they could win. Still he nodded to the drug dealer with a mumbled "Beatin comin your way later A** hole" before stepping between the two shinobi and the man. Two meters between him and the young shinobi as he placed his left hand on his right shoulder to rotate it with a loud set of popping noises as he spoke.

"Ain't anybody here innocent. You are in the slums kid.  We live by our own rules and punish our own way. If he sells drugs in your clean side of town take him down there but here...I have to make an example of him. So imma ask that you two leave him to me and forget about any names yeah? I don't think fighting is in either of our best interests. Less you intend to push shinobi influence here."

1475

Exit thread due to inactivity
Earth Release: Earth Shore Return 1000/1000

475 words left over.

Kaiya smiled as Li talked. He had a fair point. she didn't need a sword at all. still. she should try to gain enough skills with a sword to invest in a tanto someday. Tanto were basic swords practically any ninja could use with training and practice. But, she was not worried about something like that at the moment. some project for the future. for now her Tonfa were more than enough. and she was grateful she had been able to afford those in the first place. finances were always a bit tricky. food, bills, and then ninja gear were not cheap. she needed to take on more missions. Kaiya was in no need of more expenses just now. Not that it was a major concern really. she was in a good situation, one she was happy about considering. Kaiya smiled slightly and held Li's hand.

Kaiya nodded to Li. They had to intervene. it was just the right thing to do. though it seemed like the other man was already doing exactly that. though perhaps his intentions were far more physical than theirs. Still, they had to do something, whether sh wanted to or not. and it was only half true that she didn't want to. another part of her, the part that watched over her mother when she was high and out of her mind and needed looking after. That part of her demanded immediate action. But what was the best course? What was the best way to intervene. Kaiya shook her head gently, a small motion as if there was a fly buzzing around her head she wanted to scare away. What should they do? Kaiya was not wanting a fight. if it came down to it, she was sure they could capture the dealer. But would the other person accept that? he seemed to have a major issue with the dealer... well... Kaiya had a major issue with him as well.

"I can understand that... but what makes you think I necessarily come from elsewhere... I spent... enough time here in my life. Considering... my mothers addiction." There was no point denying it. If this man was another ninja of the village... he might recognize Kaiya. It's not like others didn't know about her family issues. Her fathers gambling addiction and her mothers drug addiction was the but of many jokes. And perhaps if she mentioned it it might help calm this person down a bit. she could understand a personal vendetta against drugs. she could understand that more than most people. she bore that herself. heck, the first time she had ever killed another person had been a mission to take out a drug dealer trying to sell drugs to academy students. The village couldn't have that.

"This has nothing to do with shinobi influence or reputation, etc. This simply feels like the right thing to do. IF you beat the heck out of him, he'll just sell elsewhere and the problem doesn't end. not that prisons are exactly a good solution either. It feels like the right thing to do, getting him off the streets... before other families are broken. I hope none of us want that." Kaiya sighed softly, and shot the drug dealer a look of loathing. It wasn't like she didn't understand what could drive a person to deal. bankruptcy, the need to support a family, etc. but... drugs ruined lives. to do something you know would likely cause the destruction of other families, even if just to save yours, was wrong on so many levels.

Word Count: 610
Total Word Count: 1,639+610=2,249
-2,000 to train genjutsu to up B rank.


[Li had to leave so.... I'm going to finally use the wc.]