The night sky streaked with lightning which brightened the area around him. Rain drenched his clothes as he sat trying to calm himself. Tomohiro focused on the balance within him. He sat on a rock and had been meditating for some time. His legs crossed, his head bowed, and his eyes closed. The rusted blade remained in its sheath across his lap. The elements seemed to soothe him as he started to feel his old self returning. The fuel and will to kill started to slowly release themselves through each breath of air. It had been a long time since Tomohiro was able to find focus like this. This was definitely what he truly needed. The training grounds had a way of helping him find calm. Something he hadn’t experienced in a number of months.

The last battle he fought with his teammate Zeref took some of the urge away which made him feel a small sense of calm. He was on the verge of becoming a chuunin. The emotions that he felt were not to get in the way of him becoming a successful shinobi. Tomohiro started to feel his emotions becoming suppressed by the balance he started to fill. It was like all irregularities had been removed from his body. This was what his grandfather had been talking about. His mind was clear and at ease. It was almost like the lust for blood wasn’t a part of him any more. He knew that meditating once wouldn’t that simple. It would be something that he would need to strive for everyday.

He opened his eyes looking up to the night sky. Raindrops rolled down his face as it took on the heavy rain. The wind started to push his hood off of his head revealing his dark colored hair. A deep sigh flowed through his lips as he bowed his head and returned to his meditation. A lightning bolt flashed as the the sound of earth shaking thunder followed. It had been a long time since he was able to find such peace. He hoped that the answers to his problems would just appear to him, but the universe didn’t work that way. There was always a road or a guide to get to where you needed to be. He knew that balance was important in the use of his kenjutsu. Without balance, he was just waving a sword around. Even with just executing the technique, there was no soul behind. It was like baking a chocolate cake without the chocolate. It would still be a cake, but it would be bland and unwanted.

The wind blew hard against him as he did not open his eyes. The wind was cold having blown in from the north. The rain on his hood started to feel heavy as it couldn’t soak up any more of the water droplets. Time continued to tick on as he started to fade. Everything seemed to be dark. He could no longer hear the wind blow or the thunder rumble. Tomohiro opened his eyes to a little boy. The boys violet eyes stared at him. It took a moment to realize that he was looking a younger reflection of himself. The boys short hair was rough and out of place like he had just taken a bath and his mother dried him with a warm towel. Though, it seemed like his hands were stained. The younger Tomohiro’s face was also stained with red coloring. It was blood. He couldn’t tell what he was staring at at first. Then, the scene shifted.

Tomohiro was standing alone in a training field. The younger version of himself stood in an open field with a small box filled with a handful of kunai and a few shuriken. The young child had been throwing the the weapons at a straw target. He had yet to hit his intended mark. Tomohiro continued to watch the child struggle. The scene was slightly familiar to him. He wasn’t sure why he didn’t remember the full details of the day. He watched as the boy finally hit the center of the target with a kunai. The youngster smiled as he retrieved the weapons from the target and began again. The young Tomohiro did it again on the first try. He hit the center of the target. The kid then tried with a shuriken and almost hit the center of the target. He took a deep breath and launched another shuriken. The target hit. The young Tomohiro had become so happy at his success.

Then another figured appeared. It was another young child. The child brought a small dog that seemed restless. The boy asked if he could try and the young Tomohiro refused. The boy begged and begged, but the younger Nakir still refused. The boy then lunged for the younger Tomohiro’s box and tripped. Blood started to sprinkle the ground as the boy had fully palmed a shuriken. The boy’s dog started barking as the boy cried. At the scent of the blood, the dog started going wild. The dog bared its teeth first at Tomohiro and then the boy. The little dog then charged the boy. It sunk its fangs into the boys leg. Tomohiro, the younger, stood there in slight shock. He was unsure of what to do at first before starting to pull the dog off. Little Tomohiro tried and tried to much avail.

The other child had been screaming to the top of his lungs. Tomohiro looked around and cried for help as there weren’t any listening ears around. The dog’s fangs went deeper as the young Tomohiro yanked at the dog. The young Tomohiro didn’t know what to do, but figured it would be best to make the dog leave. He then began to kick the dog. The dog then released its grip and reattached itself causing a new wound. It seemed like a lost cause until the young Tomohiro reached for a kunai. The look on his face was fear as he only knew one thing to do. The young Tomohiro took the kunai and plunged it into the dog. There was a slight yelp as the dog let go and fell to the ground. Though, the young Tomohiro didn’t stop there. He continued to jab at the dog without letting up.

Before he knew it, he was covered in blood from head to toe. The other boy continued to cry as another figured appeared. A figured with haunting eyes had shown themselves to him. Mother. The woman quickly assessed the situation and sighed. Her right sleeve blew with the wind as there was no arm to fill its void. The young Tomohiro began to cry as he ran and at gripped at his mother’s leg in tears. Tomohiro stood there looking at the vision he saw. He then realized that’s when it all started. A thunder clap shook him out of the vision as the rain let up. He wasn’t sure how long he was there, but he figured it was too long as he was heavy from the rain on his clothes.

1206

Hyde had decided the night was a good time to go for a walk despite the storm. The rains forcing many to remain indoors in the dry warmth it provided. A safety from the discomfort just outside their doors. It was a simple thing to them to avoid it and yet for Hyde it was just another night for a walk. He preferred the peace away from the masses. Common folk that didn't have any sense of soul or purpose. It bothered him to be around them. Shuffling around with no drive to gain power. No urge to be stronger and relying on others for their protection. If they were ever forced into the circle of life and death they simply would falter. Or at least the majority of them would. That was why Hyde had purpose though. That circle held him already. It coursed through his veins as he had been prepared to take life since he was much younger than he was now....Since he was as young as the age his body appeared to be. Of course no one really considered someone that looked like a ten year old a threat. At least not until they faced him. At least not until they understood what happened when those eyes blanked out.

His goal was simple. He wanted to use his own hands to eliminate all the criminal element that had haunted the village and its surrounding territory. To take down anyone who had been deemed to dangerous to live by the village. He was tired of the concept of basic missions already. Wishing to shed some blood and in doing so to shed some light. He found nothing but darkness where he walked though. People looking the other way when the gangs moved around. Lowered heads and diverted gazes. He had no patience for it. Still he wasn't interested in making a name for himself either. Ambiguity of his identity over his actions was important to him. He could act vindictively without having to look over his shoulder when he needed to. For now it was serving him well. However it was only a matter of time before he would need to gain the power to hold his own when they reacted to him. They would send someone after him or be prepared for him one day. When that day came the blood that would be shed needed to be the enemies. Not his own.

Still he had walked a good distance from his apartment in the clan compound for the night. He was wearing his usual black slacks but with rain boots tonight. A black long coat the came down to his knees leaving only a little gap between the top of the boots and the bottom of the coat. His headband sat around his neck and beneath the coat he was wearing a tucked in white button up shirt. A kunai tucked into his right inner breast pocket and three senbon strapped to each thigh. His new weapons were still being forged for him so he paid that no mind. Instead he was walking around with his dark hair falling about his face with a large black umbrella held low over his head. His dull eyes looking around the streets as water ran down the ditches to the side. His walk having taken him some distance now. He had not found any activity from criminals either. It appeared with the thunder crashing overhead even they didn't care to take advantage of the storm. He was about to give up on his walk when he happened across another young man. Older looking than himself and certainly larger but with the weather soaking into him. His rusted weapon held close to him as he seemed to be lost in thought. Even as the rain battered against the top of his umbrella loudly Hyde would approach. Stopping a couple of meters away as thunder crashed revealing his plain and young features. The Hinode aged slower so he appeared about six years younger than he actually was. Still for a kid at least Hyde appeared to be well dressed. When he spoke after the thunder died down though it was almost a bored tone.

"It would seem a shame to most for a swordsman to die to hypothermia don't you think?"

726

As he looked to the sky contemplating his well-being, some one approached. “It would seem a shame to most for a swordsman to die to hypothermia don’t you think?” The voice caused him to look toward the newcomer with cold violet eyes. He wondered why someone decided to bother him now at all times. It was only fairly recently that he was able to find a portion of an answer to a long list of question. Tomohiro shifted in his spot, but remained mostly unmoved. His eyes stared at the newcomer trying to get a quick visual assessment of him. The individual seemed to be maybe about seven to eight years younger than he was. Though, his speech said otherwise. He wasn’t sure exactly what stood before him. Only time would tell.

“Men have died to lesser means. If this kills me, I deserve death for being weak. I’m Nakir, Tomohiro. Who are you and what brings you here?” he replied with a monotone voice.

What he truly wanted to find out was the reason he was disturbed. Though, he was about to get up and head home. There wasn’t any reason for him to sit here and continue to be wet. He figured that he would probably need to head to his clan’s compound and change before heading back home. The feeling of his clothes sticking to his skin didn’t sit well with him. He removed his hood revealing his shinobi headband and matted wet hair. He sighed as he briefly looked away to then look back at the young individual that stood before him. The young Nakir stood up from his meditative stance as he grabbed his blade.

Tomohiro rested his hands on his sheath slightly massaging his fingers around the bamboo. It was time for him to get a new blade. An almost chuunin experienced swordsman shouldn’t be caught wielding a weapon as disrespectful as this one. This was the first blade he took a human life with, but he figured that it wasn’t the first life it took. The blade was heavily used before it landed in his hands. He actually bought the blade because he was impatient. It was probably best to sell the weapon and have a new one forged. He probably would find a better weapon or just keep it and make it an addition to a collection.

Lightning struck in the background as he had arisen from his seated position. His legs had gone a bit numb from sitting down too long. Tomohiro’s body seemed a bit stiff, but it wasn’t that unbearable. The body of a shinobi was one that had to undergo many hardships. This was no hardship. It was just his body telling him that it needed blood flow. He stretched his neck from side to side trying to get the kinks out while hoping that the meeting between the two shinobi wasn’t just a coincidence. Tomohiro normally wouldn’t stand around and conversate with people he didn’t really know, but he started to be little more open than he usually was.

526/1732

Hyde would watch the man as their eyes met. Ice blue eyes meeting cold violet. Neither of them had the eyes of an outgoing person. Neither of them seemed to be a social creature by any means. If anything they were the opposite. They viewed people as statistics at best. Or at least Hyde did. However this man before him looked to be about his own age. Hyde wasn't interested in looking away or being intimidated. He felt no sense of danger beyond the fact the man before him was armed. No killing intent in his direction. There was no reason for hesitation. Perhaps a little caution but he would leave it at that for now. Allowing further data collection to adjust his interpretation of the given situation. There was always room for a given situation to alter. Nothing was set in stone. However there was a sense of pride within this boys eyes. As if he was putting himself through this torment out of a sense of duty. How traditional of swordsmen to risk their bodies just for another minuscule amount of growth. However as the monotone words reached him Hyde would feel his patience slip a little. His own reply had a small bit of a sharp edge about it.

"If you die from this it isn't weakness. It's stupidity. Part of strength is recognizing ones surroundings and adapting. Forcing your body to withstand something is simply indulging a stubborn pride. I suppose though it would be rude not to introduce myself at this point though. Hinode Hyde. As for my reasoning..I am a med nin returning home from a late night of tending to fools who couldn't adapt well enough."

He was scornful and opinionated even though Tomohiro was armed and Hyde looked much smaller. However there wasn't a sense of fear within him. Instead Hyde gave off a sensation of readiness. Like a coiled spring, Comfortable under his umbrella but capable. He wasn't standing in a threatening way but he only shifted his gaze to the sword as Tomohiro stood and placed his hand on it. The hilt looked like a shoddily put together thing. Not nearly as threatening as the woman from the library had been. Still the hood fell back and revealed the headband beneath it within the matted down wet mess of hair. Still Hyde didn't bother moving. If he was going to use that weapon he would have to see how that played out. What was it with his fellow shinobi being so quick to grab a sword and stand in hostility? He was just holding an umbrella as far as what was obvious. He wondered though if this would be a repeat of the library.

He had never considered using his umbrella in a fight before but he supposed it had its uses. If Tomohiro took offense to his words as many pride filled swordsmen did he would need to try it. Regardless of his natural resilience he didn't want to just sit there and get cut. Besides such insolence couldn't be simply ignored. His blue eyes shifted up to watch Tomohiro's eyes for intent now as his grip tightened on the handle of the umbrella. They were both shinobi but he wondered if Tomohiro even knew the clan name. If he thought he might achieve victory with just that shoddy weapon he either knew and had a hidden talent of his own or he didn't know and it would cost him. Still Hyde would speak up again. His tone a little colder this time. Narrowed eyes watching and waiting.

"You planning on doing something with that?"

1344

“You’re wrong. It’s not about strengthening my body for pride. Forcing my body is no one’s business, but my own. The real strength comes from the determination of the mind. A weak body can endure with a strong mind and soul. My clan has lived in this land for generations. This is small about of drizzle is nothing.”

Tomohiro didn’t care how his actions appeared even if they were a bit hostile. As far as he was concerned, the individual was invading his space. Tomohiro wasn’t the guy to attack at random. He was more strategic than that. The fact that the young man in front of him was a Hinode, was another reason he wouldn’t fight him. He had academy students in his class that were Hinode. They were an interesting clan to say the least. Fighting him would definitely be pointless.. Tomohiro really no longer feared death. It had become something that just grew into him. There was an old saying that said live by the sword, die by the sword. It was something that the Nakir clan accepted years ago. He had now looked back at Hyde with casual threatening eyes.

“Actually, I am about to do something with this.”  he stated as he flourished his sword, “I’m not in the mood to fight.”

The sword snapped into its bamboo sheath without much resistance. He crossed his arms standing in front of his fellow shinobi. Healing wasn’t something that he needed. Tomohiro was quite fine were how he was outside of being a bit cold. It was only a hop and a skip to one of the mines that they had. Changing his clothes their would probably be for the best. The fact that the other shinobi still remained there made him wonder what he truly sought. Though, he did want to go on another mission. Having Hyde would be a great addition since he is a medic shinobi.

“Hey you,” he started in a low tone, "You up for a mission. I’m pretty sure that there’s something we could do. You’re a medical ninja and I’m a warrior. I could be your sword and your shield as we crush through Kumo’s enemies. I’m pretty sure that some bandits need to be offed. What do you say?”

Something that didn’t change was Tomohiro need for ryo. A new sword wasn’t the only thing he was after. He needed new gear in general. His personal weapons were either rusty or lacking in number. Tomohiro also needed to find armor. Many of his clansmen had gone without, but he didn’t want to be one of the ones that refused to wear it. He had a couple of ideas for new gear, but he still would need the ryo to purchase it. There were many things that could that money could buy and gear and food were the only things that he thought that would matter. He would wait for a response hoping that the Hyde said yes. A C-Rank mission would also find them in good favor of Lord Hastur. He already had been on a number of C-Rank missions and wanted to go on a few more to pass the time. The Hinode’s attitude was a bit sour, but he didn’t care too much. Zeref had to be a bit worse than him. He would give it to Zeref that he would try to hide his true nature. This guy was pretty blunt, which he liked about him.

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“You’re wrong. It’s not about strengthening my body for pride. Forcing my body is no one’s business, but my own. The real strength comes from the determination of the mind. A weak body can endure with a strong mind and soul. My clan has lived in this land for generations. This is small about of drizzle is nothing.”

Hyde would tilt his head at that. The man was so old fashioned it almost hurt to watch. Strengthening the mind? Hyde had done that just fine without catching a cold. Determination was something that boiled down to one thing. The moment when one had to make the choice to survive at any cost. When they were faced with their own mortality and they refuse to go down if only to make it through the battle. Some found the moment euphoric while many had developed a post traumatic disorder. Unable to function any longer as a normal member of society. He supposed though in that situation, with that statistic in mind the mans training held some merit. Not that he saw himself joining in. He wouldn't feel the discomfort anyway. Meditation was a simple thing for him. Exposing his body to the elements held no appeal in that case. If he wasn't tormenting his mind with his body he was just wasting time. Besides there were faster ways to strengthen the mind than with rain. More risky but faster. Battle experience was the foremost of that. Of which he listened as the man before him spoke again. As it dictated if he would be experiencing such an event.

“Actually, I am about to do something with this.” he stated as he flourished his sword, “I’m not in the mood to fight.”

The flourish made Hyde's hand twitch as he prepared to counter as best he could. He was ready to react at an intense pace. However the weapon followed the mans words and snapped into its bamboo sheath. Hyde would watch it still but his hand would calm down and his grip on the umbrella would loosen slightly. The weapon was put away for the time being. He was safer now. Not safe per say but safer. He could afford to relax slightly. Still the event and conversation had only been one in passing. Irritating as it was. He seemed to disagree with the methods and thought process of every other shinobi of Kumo he came across that carried a sword. Perhaps those who studied Kenjutsu were just less versatile than his own onojutsu. After all that fighting style required adaptability while he supposed kenjutsu was a far firmer pathway. Still he would frown and turn to walk away. The continued conversation held little merit. As it stood at the moment anyway. However he found himself stopped as the young man called out to him again. Looking over his shoulder as he listened.

“Hey you,” he started in a low tone, "You up for a mission. I’m pretty sure that there’s something we could do. You’re a medical ninja and I’m a warrior. I could be your sword and your shield as we crush through Kumo’s enemies. I’m pretty sure that some bandits need to be offed. What do you say?”

Hyde would pause a moment as the rain poured around them. It was a meeting of two young men that had the potential of being an extremely dangerous team. It was a moment that could be written in the history novels as fate drawing their destiny on the tapestry. The wheel of time turning. Hyde could deny the offer of course. He could have walked away in that moment and been something less. His story unwritten. However Tomohiro had made an offer to be his sword and shield. Hyde was capable but having another by his side was frightening. He would turn fully to the man before slowly sighing. With his free hand he reached up into the breast pocket of his vest. Pulling out a card with his address on it. Lifting it up before flicking his wrist. The card flew through the air like a shuriken but slower. Accurately for the mans center mass. It wasn't something flimsy enough for the rain to damage. Rather the kind of card a doctor would have.

"If your serious about it, that card has my name. Sign up for a mission and request me as a medic support. The village will notify me of a time and place to meet you. Don't think I am without a means to be a sword and shield as well though. Such a mistake could be costly."

2120

Tomohiro nodded as he took the card as it flew toward him. He let the words sink in. Hyde was right. A mistake like that could be costly. Maybe the cold was getting to him. A sword was one thing, but a shield too may have been asking for a bit too much. The gentleman agreed to go on a mission with him at least. He wondered how this was truly going to work out. Though, the guy couldn’t be worse than Zeref at least. He sighed as he stood there staring at the card in his hand. He stuck it in one of his pouches to bring up later. It was probably a good time for him to head to the Nakir compound and dry off. His clothes almost felt like they were gripping his bones at this point. It was almost like his skin wasn’t even their.

“I’ll make sure to request you Hyde. See you soon,” he said as he turned around.

Tomohiro adjusted his clothes and made his way out of the training grounds. He put his hood back up and walked away. The meeting between the two of them seemed too convenient. Tomohiro wasn’t sure if it had been fate or something else that had him meeting people in strange situations. The feeling in his hands started to leave. The cold started to grip him a little more. He would pick up his speed toward the compound. Out of most of the places in Kumo, that had to be one of the hottest places to be. He would probably spend his time in one of the training rooms there trying to dry off.

“Seems like I overstayed my welcome,” he said before sneezing.

[Exit Thread]
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1000/1000 words [Siddhartha's Negation Wave]
750/750 words [Flame Nova Training]
750/750 words [Fire Prison Jutsu! Training]

125 words unused

Hyde would accept that the boy was at least capable when he snapped his hand out and snagged the card out of the air. It was flung with intent behind it so it was capable of hitting the kid before it was ever caught. That likely meant at the very least the others reflexes were on par with his own. If they were to go on a mission together he wouldn't have to look after the other as much. That was acceptable. Still he would watch him from under his umbrella as he slipped the card into a pouch and turned to head about his way. Claiming he would contact him soon before being on his way. Still Hyde would watch a moment as the man shifted off to go about his business. He would wait until he was out of site for a twisted smile to appear on his face. Indeed he would eventually likely summon Hyde for a mission. He didn't understand who he was dealing with though. Hyde would turn and continue his walk down another path as he whistled a soft tune. Or at least to him it was relaxing. To anyone else listening though, it was haunting. Something about the kid walking in the pouring rain on the dark streets screamed danger.

Still he would walk until he came across his objective for the night. A walk was great and all but there was a whole different thing he did to relax. His steps carried him to a storage district. A series of concrete buildings with dull grey metal doors. He entered his pin to enter before walking to the back of the storage units. His steps creating splashes as he moved. Finally he stood in front of his own unit. Using the key to enter through the side door and shaking out the umbrella. Looking around before closing the door behind himself to make sure he wasn't followed. He had another method of stress relief. The lights flickered on and his smile broadened. In a heavy wooden chair with leather straps was one of the wanted murders on the posters around town. He had only robbed one house but he killed the man that lived there in cold blood. Hyde had captured him a couple of days ago but now he was strapped to the chair and beaten fairly heavily. Kept alive through medical expertise. He opened his eyes and let out a muffled cry with his mouth taped over. Hyde would lift a finger to his lips and shh him gently before leaning down next to his ear.

"Shh shh shh. Johnny....No crying out yet...our games haven't begun yet."

Exit thread

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