Kejido was rather tired after a day of mandatory training he had been ordered to undertake. A lot of running around his clans compound along with an obstacle course designed for shinobi. It was tough work and his muscles felt heavy still. However he wasn't about to mark his track record with a disobeyed order however simple minded it may be. Still he held some mild resentment for it. He needed to get out of the clan compound and go for a walk to clear his head. Holding onto resentment wasn't doing him any good anyway as it was keeping him awake. Still he would shower away the sweat and grime as well as a lot of tension in his muscles. A lavender scented soap marking him as an easy scent to pick up on. He didn't care much though as he didn't have an sparring planned. Having such a notable scent was just nice to have for him. He liked to smell good. Still he had decided to walk out of his house and compound around the middle of the night when the streets were empty so long as he avoided the bar. The full moon out was nice for lighting up the parts of the town without street lights.

He had chosen to wear his specialist uniform. It only had the one white stripe over his left breast but it was enough to indicate his rank. His uniform was pressed firmly with clean creases. Black in color with red shoulder pads and red stripes around his neck and wrists. A row of four copper buttons on each side of his shirt all buttoned up. His slacks were held up by a white belt with a copper seal with his clans symbol on it. Polished black boots and white gloves finished off the look. For some odd reason though he had a kunai in a white sheath on his left hip as if there for decorative purposes. Only the hilt sticking out. Of course he had three senbon up each sleeve but those were hidden. His headband was stitched into his left shoulder carefully marking him as an Iwa nin. In his uniform and with his posture he appeared to be very regal. Straight backed with a solid stride. Still it was peaceful enough that he was only keeping the weapons on him as a trained habit of remaining prepared for any situation.

His walk had taken him to the great stone bridge after only about a half hour. It was nice and cold there as spring was still just right around the corner. He didn't mind the seclusion as his shoes clicked against the stone as the only sound besides rushing water. He would walk halfway across the length of the bridge before stopping. His white gloved hands placed upon the edge of the bridge to lean on it as he looked out. The river was designed to run through the village and provide all of it with fresh water as needed. As such he was at a high point over half the village. Dozens of lights beneath and notable locations like the arena. The location that held one of his dreams. The monoliths were named there. Positions that were open and waiting for capable fighters. He knew of Harichimo as one of them and the man was a celebrity recognized through out the village. He wanted to be the same. He wanted everyone to know his name too. If this required that he went to these mandatory training sessions in the meantime so be it. Still he would sigh and roll his neck. It sure was a pain though.

617

It was often said that there nothing good at night; that is, the decent, god-fearing folk knew to shut and lock thier doors at this time of night. No, only thieves, drug dealers and murderers prowled the streets at night, especially in this part of Iwagakure no Sato; a part known as the Rats Nest. It was apparently home to some of the worst of the worst; if a day went by without a kidnapping or attempted murder, it was considered a good day.

So why exactly was he there?

It was the best place for the male to lay low for the moment. The ghetto of a hidden village was the best place to hide from those who sought him; a hidden village was large enough for a new person to slip into and hide from others, assuming a new indentity and attempting to run away from thier past, like this male was. He arrived in the village only hours before just as the gate was closing for the night, not that he cared. So long as he was inside, he was safe. For the night at least. He knew enough about survival to make it through the night on what he had -- virtually nothing. But even with survival knowlege, he had to find a place to hunker down for the night, and that was where he was falling short at.

It was how the male found himself, wandering down the streets of the Iwagakure no Sato's worst slum, attempting to mind his own business and find a place to settle himself for the night. At first glance, one would not expect Sora to be anything more than a civilian. Caramel colored hair spills down in a shaggy style, framing a pair of blue eyes, which seem to glow due to him being noted to have particularly vibrant and potent chakra. He avoids the traditional shinobi garb in favor of civilian clothes. All the better to blend into a crowd of people. He favors plain clothings, ones with no markings of sorts. On this particular day, his attire consists of a stylish and complex outfit, containing large black shoes, a black hooded overjacket as well as a black jumpsuit and a pair of black with white gloves with his signature crown necklace and crown chain. For the moment, the hood was pulled up over his head to keep his caramel hair and face out of view; something like that tended to draw attention.

Quick steps carried him through the streets of Iwagakure no Sato as those blue eyes looked about with careful precision; taking in all the details of the area he could in the dim light. While he necessarily did not like the looks of it, there was not much he could do on that aspect; it was a slum, what did he expect? People loitered in the entryways of buildings, or stood out front of various 'establishments' drunking and doing gods knows what.

Whatever it takes to get through the night, I suppose.

He d envied those people a bit; they had an escape from reality, despite how harmful it was. For him, there was no escape; to leave himself open in that aspect was to invite death to claim him, and he was not feeling like giving up just yet. And so, he moved through the streets of this village, searching, ever searching for something to catch his eye...

Eventualy, the male would find himself wandering farther than he originally intended: the terrain shifted, changing from the dusty dirt of the slums into that of a smooth stone, one that was worn to such form time and much use. The noises of the ghetto would die out, leaving behind the simple tranquility of peace. Although the young male did not know of it, he had wandered to the Stone Bridge of Iagakure, a place of simple history. Slow steps would carry him across the smoooth masonry until the sight of someone else on the bridge would stop him short.

A lone figure stood in the distance, some twenty meters away. While the minute details were not clear to the male, there was something about the other that seemed... off. His air was not that of a traditional shinobi, but rather something decidely different.

Could he.... could he be one of them?

The young male knew that his former comrades were a electic bunch, but the higher ups recruited the more eccentric of them to become the equilvalant of a hidden village's ANBU. The male himself had been a potential recruit before his desertion, but he believed he knew the signs of a member when he saw it, and this persona on the bridge was setting off a few of them. Not all of them, but enough to warrant careful watch and to keep his distance.

If this strange persona indeed was a part of the male's former comrades, then  he had to know what he was getting himself into. He had to know that the person who stood before him was nicknamed 'The Keybearer' for reasons that were apparent if one ever saw him fight. If he were truely after the hooded male, then would know what was meant by the phrase that was spoken next. Even in the still of the night, the words would carry across the distance, ending as a soft whisper upon the ears of the persona:


Even as the hooded male spoke, his chakra was surging within his form, plucking at the strings of reality and existence to accomplish what was normally thought of as impossible. Nothing was done just yet; this was a warm-up, preparation if you will. Should the male need to bend reality to his will to accomplish something, it would be done without hesitation; his mind was his greatest weapon, and the world was just the tip of the blade. But this was not all, not even close. The male carried with him the Keys to the Kingdom, tucked carefully away into the void from where he could draw them at his leisure. While the Keys themselves were not the most dangerous tools in his arsenal, they were an ill omen for what often followed next...

---

1075 WC

Kejido was of course enjoying the view. It was nice to be out for a bit and the air was crisp and fresh to him. It blew through his hair lightly as he inhaled and breathed in the scents around him. The water smelled pure even with the traffic through the area. It was against the law to litter and it was enforced around this bridge heavily. Still he wasn't about to chance hopping down for a sip of the water. His drinks were usually bottled from a natural spring or something of the sort. To lower himself to the status of a homeless bum and partake from open water was obscene. He would exhale and adjust his collar a little before taking a coin out of his pocket. Studying it in the dim light as what light there was glistened off of the polished metal. The designs on it were an intricate print but it was just one ryo. He could live without it. Even if he wasn't superstitious he figured there was no harm in casting a wish so cheap. With a flick of his finger he thought his wish and the coin fell into the mist of the falls. Gone from view. Perhaps the gods would be good to him.

His silver gaze would follow after the coin for a moment. His dreams with it as he considered it something interesting but ultimately flawed. Still it was only once the young man had drawn to the other side of the bridge that he noticed him. Had he been so distracted or was this one just quiet? He would stand a little straighter and eye the young man as he spoke up. Something about the keys of heaven and what he made here happening there and some other nonsense. He felt the entire thing a bit odd but he would turn to face him anyway. It occurred to him though the irony of the timing. Perhaps it was a test? Something of the sort? It certainly seemed an odd way to greet someone. Still he would regard the young man a moment and take his moment to calm himself. A spirit perhaps? Even he wasn't one to believe in such things but the timing couldn't be ignored. Still he would call back in return. Humor in his voice all the same. Not one to keep quiet when addressed. Though this one seemed odd.

"I say, I do hope those are song lyrics or you are some sort of friendly spirit of the falls. It would be a pity if your a serial killer or mugger of some sort. I will mention if its one of the latter that I am an Iwa nin. Such a route would likely end poorly for the average mugger. Don't you agree?"

He could almost feel something from this one though. Like an air of experience or danger. As if his words were going to have little effect other than being a joke to this one. He would shift his hand on his left side to rest casually on the hilt of the kunai sheathed on his belt. It looked more for fashion and tradition but he rested his hand on it all the same. If this was about to turn into something hostile he needed to be prepared. Even if it was just a kunai it had some potential to be debilitating with the right set of blows. More so he wasn't sure what to think of this man. If he was going to charge him it likely wouldn't be unarmed. He needed to be prepared to deflect a blade. Still he would watch the other for a moment with sharp eyes hidden behind a friendly smile.

1249

"I say, I do hope those are song lyrics or you are some sort of friendly spirit of the falls. It would be a pity if your a serial killer or mugger of some sort. I will mention if its one of the latter that I am an Iwa nin. Such a route would likely end poorly for the average mugger. Don't you agree?"

Song lyrics?

A serial killer?

A spirit of the falls?

Was this strange persona mad? Surely, if he were indeed one of the Keybearer's former comrades, he would know he were as good as dead if he sought to challenge the male. For him to continue speaking when the Keybearer had verbally 'thrown down the gauntlet' would mean one of two things: either this strange persona was attempting to feign ignorance in hopes of the Keybearer would lower his guard for an opportune strike, or this strange persona was simply one of the ignorant masses, something he professed by stating he was a ninja of this village, Iwagakure no Sato.

If this were indeed true, then the male could not fault the man for his ignorance. But then again, the Keybearer was never one to leave something for chance. He would remain wary of this person, and his intentions for the time being. He would respond to the strange persona, his voice still barely above the whisper due to distance.

" I am no shade, Stranger, and I sing no sweet siren song. Your status as a ninja concerns me not, for I have commited none nor intend a crime: I take no coin I have not rightfully earned without a day's labor. As for a killer... I do as I am paid to do, same as any shinobi." As the male spoke, his form would seem to lighten some what, his clothing lifting and billowing in an invisible wind; his chakra was flaring up, primed and ready. Reality was now his personal bitch, and his mind was not in the mood for gentle foreplay, should it come to it. He had no clue as to how this man would take his response; more often as a challenge. If it came down to that, he would walk that path. If not, well...

There was a first time for everything.

Those blue eyes remained on the figure in the distance, surveying him carefully and sizing him up. At this distance, the male had nothing that could attack the persona sucessfuly; he would have to get in close; but the Keybearer thrived in close quarters combat. CQQ was his bread and butter, and with his fighting style and usual weapons, he could possibly hold the upper hand here, despite not knowing anything about his opponent. There appeared to be a knife on his person, something ceremonial, but still a potential weapon. If this persona was a shinobi as he claimed, then he surely possessed other weapons on his person, no doubt tucked away.

For a brief moment, those blue eyes narrowed at the persona.

His sleeves?

More than likely, otherwise, why wear long sleeves in a potential fight. The male made no move to remove the coat he wore, despite all of the decorations that were upon it. It could mean several things; either he was very confident and or arrogant in his abilities to contend with a threat, or he possessed weapon hidden in it. Either way, the Keybearer would never know until the situation moved in that direction.

But would he really risk drawing attention to himself so soon after entering this village? He already had a legion after him, would it be wise to risk the ire of a place he sought asylum from? For the moment, the male paused his actions, allowing his chakra to withdraw itself back into his body, yet still ready to reach out and touch the world around him... He would attempt something he had never attempted before: Diplomacy

The horror!

Arms crossing over his chest, the male kept his eyes upon the strange persona for a moment before speaking again. "Have no fear, shinobi of Iwagakure; I am simply a mercenary passing through your great village, seeking a place to stay the night. I shall harm naught a single strand of hair upon nar a villager's head as I pass. Is that fine with you?" A simple statement, one that could very well be percieved as mocking should one have a mind to percieve it as such.

It was.

---

753 | 1828

" I am no shade, Stranger, and I sing no sweet siren song. Your status as a ninja concerns me not, for I have committed none nor intend a crime: I take no coin I have not rightfully earned without a day's labor. As for a killer... I do as I am paid to do, same as any shinobi."

What an interesting speech pattern. It was higher class at least. Educated for sure. If not through schooling this individual just had a higher IQ than most. He wasn't fool enough to be an average thug. Still it was a little disappointing that he wasn't some spirit of the falls. It would of made for an epic tale. A wish granted at the falls and a great warrior born. Chosen of the gods. Still he would shift his thoughts to the claim of no crime committed. No name had been given either. Still he mentioned having no coin he had not earned. Implying at the end that he had killed before and was a shinobi himself. Kejido was skeptical but honestly it was just too much trouble to investigate by himself. Besides that he still felt a sense of danger off the young man. It was such a bother. Truly he wasn't sure he even cared.

Still a gust of wind from no where shifted the mans cloak. He didn't see any weapons but wasn't at ease all the same. His own weapons were mostly hidden aside from the one on his hip. If this man was a shinobi hiding weapons was a simple thing. Still his own hand would only rest on the hilt of his kunai casually. Careful not to grip it or stroke it. Mentally checking himself to only give the hint of a threat and not openly threaten anyone. If this guy was innocent he couldn't come across as a thug himself. He sighed openly as the sense of danger from the man seemed to lessen. He wasn't sure what it was but perhaps harmful intent? He could hardly know just by guessing. Still it was interesting. He was confident in his own abilities but far too lazy to actually get in a fight. Besides his muscles were awfully sore. That and his life was far to valuable for this nonsense. Still the man would speak once more and catch Kejido's attention. Still keeping his distance as if unsure of their intentions or his own.

"Have no fear, shinobi of Iwagakure; I am simply a mercenary passing through your great village, seeking a place to stay the night. I shall harm naught a single strand of hair upon nar a villager's head as I pass. Is that fine with you?"

His arms had crossed in a defiant manner. Normally Kejido might have been offended but he was already done with trying to figure the situation out. It wasn't his business of his problem. Even if it was a mercenary they had claimed to be innocent of any crime and promised to follow the law more or less. At least when it came to anything a shinobi might care about. Less they were bald perhaps. The joke amused him slightly and he smiled. Perhaps to be taken as if he found the mercenaries front a joke in some way. He didn't care enough to be offended and instead the words seemed to be asking him for permission just to move around the village. It certainly played on his pride. So he would smile to the cloaked individual and his free hand would indicate the northern section of the village.

"If your looking for a room for the night the university houses any potential students. Simply tell them your inquiring about the university and they should put you up tonight. I will hold you to behaving as you have claimed."

1901

"If your looking for a room for the night the university houses any potential students. Simply tell them your inquiring about the university and they should put you up tonight. I will hold you to behaving as you have claimed."

A small smile crossed the male's face. It would seem that this persona was offering more than just a presense in this location, as he had some sort of information to trade. The theatrics would calm themselves; the billowing clothing would still themselves upon his personage, his chakra would lull itself back into slumber, and his mind would release its grasp upon the threads of reality, allowing it to settle itself back into normalcy; even the male's eyes would seem to dim somewhat, visible even at this distance.

"Thank you, oh generous shinobi of Iwagakure on Sato. I shall make haste to reach these lavish quarters that you speak of..." Even as the male spoke, his body would begin to fade away from sight, seeming to melt into the darkness.

Despite not being a shade, the male surely know how to vanish like one.

-Thread Exit-

---

186 | 2014 WC

Social 1 completed.

The atmosphere would finally calm down as the Iwa nin would offer a solution to the problem of shelter for the night. The young man seemed to almost drop the menacing aura entirely as he thanked Kejido for the information. Idly he would raise his hand in a slow and flamboyant salute as if out of lazy sarcasm. Still as his hand lowered the odd thing happened. The boy before him seemed to fade away and there was just a sensation that he had been. Like a fade had just visited him. Adding to the sensation that he spoke to a spirit. With that in mind he turned to walk home finally. A lot on his mind to consider as he wondered if his wishes would be granted or if he had perhaps been tricked by the spirit in some way.

Exit thread
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