This was the third time in his life that Rhys was in the infirmary. The first time had been his birth, Rhys had no recollection of this, but he had been told the story before. The second time was when he was just a boy. He had been riding his best friend petunia, the rescued rhinoceros, when he had slipped off and shattered his arm. His father had taken Rhys to have the medical ninja heal the splintered bone. It had been a long and painful process, and not something Rhys liked to recall

   Rhys had not liked the village hospital then, and he did not like it now. He sat in the shaded room on his pillowy mattress. He had spent the night to have his arrow wound treated from the day before. The iryo practitioners had done their work thoroughly with practiced ease. They had regrown the flesh inside his shoulder, sealing the wound. It would leave a scar, but no serious damage had been done.

   Rhys stood up with a groan as he stretched his sore limbs. The bed had been far too soft, not that he would have been able to sleep that night anyway. He had spent the evening studying the map he had claimed from one of his victims the previous day. It showed the location of the main camp for an apparently large poaching operation. If his foe was to be believed, then these were the very scoundrels that had pillaged Rhys's home one year ago. Rhys had little faith in the man's claims that some of the animals still lived, but Rhys would go anyway in order to enact his justice upon the scum that had destroyed his life.

   Once all of his gear was in place Rhys set out of the hospital. They had made him stay overnight and would not let him leave until after the sun had risen. It was already late for Rhys, but he had one more stop to make before leaving the village. The big man made his way through the village to "The Dragon's Tongue" curry shop. It was a favorite location in the village, but food was not the only reason Rhys went into the crowded restaurant.

   The familiar scent of the cooking spices wafted over Rhys. He always loved that first smell when walking into the building. The restaurant always had customers no matter the time of day. Right now people were enjoying their breakfasts of curried eggs and pickles vegetables with rice. Rhys looked over at the counter and made eye contact with his friend Akasha.

   The tanned red headed woman met his gaze with her signature devious smile before motioning for him to take his usual seat. She would bring the food to him like she always did. Akasha Ungo was related to the owner of "The Dragon's Tongue" and had worked here for years. They had only recently met, but the two had become fast friends. Their fiery personalities, and over zealous eating habits, had bonded them together.

   After a few minutes Akasha showed up at the table with their usual meal. She layed the food out on the table before sitting down.

"Well you look like shit." Akasha said as she looked him over. She quickly dove into her food with gusto. The spiced meal barely grazing her tongue before being devoured.

"You should see the other guys.. Listen Ash. I found them. I found the men who destroyed my home. I'm going after them today." Rhys could not bear to look her in the eye as he told her. He only used the nickname "Ash" when they were in private. To say it out loud in the open showed her that he didn't think he would get the chance to say it again.

"So you found them. You're leaving and don't think you're gonna be back. You giant idiot! The damage is done, there's no need to go after them and get yourself killed! Just.. wait until you're stronger. Or get some help at least!" Akasha slammed her fist on the table for emphasis as she shouted at the man across from her. The yelling drew the attention of everyone in the establishment.

"Ash please. You know I have to do this. I need to get justice for what they did. Plus there is a small chance that there are still living animals in the camp. I don't know if I will make it back, but i have to try and make things right." Rhys placed his large hand over hers as he tried to reason with her. She was one of very few people he cared for, and she was the only one he would be saying goodbye to today.

   The two of them sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Their fingers intertwined with each other, but neither of them could look at the other. Finally Akasha pulled her hand away and stood up. She cleared the food from the table and walked away silently with the tray.

   Rhys sat there in silence. If this really was their last time together, he didn't want it to end like this. He had no choice however. He stood and started heading for the door. He was stopped by a strong yet delicate hand that grabbed at his shoulder and spun him around. Rhys turned with a smile that was immediately slapped off of his face.

   Akasha's eyes were smoldering as she drew her hand away from Rhys's now red face. She shoved a bag full of food into his gut.

" You really are a moron! Don't die out there or I'll never forgive you!" she stood up on the tips of her toes and planted her soft lips against his. She held him in an embrace that lasted only a fraction of a moment. As quickly as it had happened, it was over. Akasha spun around and went back into the kitchen.

   Once more Rhys went for the door, this time with a smile and a light bruise on his face. He put the food she had packed for him into his backpack. She knew just what he liked. This last errand complete Rhys set forth to the edge of the village. It was time for his destiny to begin.

   Rhys stepped through village gate and set his sights toward the "Sand's Domain" a notorious section of the desert that had claimed more than a few unlucky souls who dared venture within. According to his map the main camp of the poachers lie within.

   It took some time for Rhys to make it to the windswept dunes of the domain. Already the wind had picked up, sending sand flying all about. The tales of the perilous winds in this region were daunting. Dust devils the size of mountains, full fledged tornados the ripped through the environment, and sandstorms that could last for a fortnight. Rhys wanted to spend as little time in this hostile locale as was humanly possible.

   Mid-day had already come and gone. The sun's heat was in full swing. It was the hottest day that Rhys had encountered in some time. Sweat poured off of his bulky frame as he wandered through the sandy dunes. As the day reached it's hottest point, Rhys stopped to rest. He found some shade under a large boulder and sat down to enjoy the meal that his friend had made for him.

   The packed lunch contained a practical buffet of food. Tamagoyaki, curried rice, pickled vegetables, and his favorite dish "Dragon's Spit" from the restaurant. Tucked away underneath the meal was a small scroll. It had one simple line written in it: "Come back to me." Rhys hoped he would be able to do just that. The large man quickly consumed his feast. Each bite was better than the last. After all was devoured Rhys took a long pull from his canteen full of mint water to wash it all down.

   Completely sated, Rhys gathered his things and set out once more. He continued on for some time in the desert sun. The wind was intense but did not seem to be gaining in strength which was a good sign. The day dragged on and eventually have way to the purple twilight. The time between day and night when one's senses were slightly askew. Rhys had always liked this transition, it gave the world a peaceful hue that contradicted the violence within.

   Night had fully taken hold and Rhys had yet to find the camp. The less than ideal map he had confiscated indicated he was either one or four hours away from his destination, there was no way to be sure which as there was very little in the way of landmarks represented. Rhys decided it would be best to press on. It would be harder to see in the dark, but it would give him an upper hand when he found his targets. So Rhys pushed forward into the star lit night.

   The heavens expanded before Rhys's eyes into eternity. One billion stars shone in the night sky and probably many more that could not be seen. Rhys used the brightest star in the sky to guide his way. The North star had been used for navigation since recorded history began and tonight was no different.

   After about three hours of traversing the darkened desert, Rhys crested a large dune and looked down on a expansive camp. There was easily a dozen different tents of various sizes. A bonfire burned in the middle but the camp was otherwise coated in darkness. On the far side of the camp Rhys could see a series of cages, the light of the fires reflecting off of the metal bars. Rhys worked his way around the camp towards the cages.

  Circumnavigating the camp allowed Rhys a chance to scout out the camp while seeing if there was any truth to the claims of the now dead poacher. He had said that some of Rhys's animals still lived, but Rhys had little hope. Instead Rhys expected to find more corpses, and hopefully a few new creatures in need of rescue. The camp itself was crawling with men. They drunkenly moved about the camp making a tremendous amount of noise in their stupor. The natural landscape was all they needed to stay hidden so there was no need for secrecy.

  Rhys was painfully aware that he would not be able to take down this entire operation by himself. He would have to cut through their ranks as best he could before falling. He finally made it to the far end of the camp where the poachers kept their bounties. Animals of all different types and sizes were stack precariously on one another in their cages. The smell was devastating as Rhys made his way closer to the beasts. He approached from the back side which allowed him to spot the guard in duty near the creatures. This most not have been an exciting job as the guard was fast asleep.

  Rhys crept up to the sleeping figure silently. He drew the kunai he kept in his pouch. He pressed the tip against the base of the spine of his sleeping foe, and then pressed. The poacher was dead before he could even open his eyes. Rhys took his chance to inspect the area more closely, and what he beheld nearly broke him.

  His best friend, his beloved petunia, lie dead in the middle of the circle of cages. Are horn had been ripped from her head and her form was deflated. She had just barely begun to decompose. He had been merely days late. If he had made it sooner he might have saved her. A low moan escaped the shaken man's throat He fell to his knees with grief. Rhys sobbed at the loss of his friend.

  Slowly Rhys rose up, his vengeance would be swift. He was just about to begin his armory jutsu to take out as many poachers as possible, when something caught his eye. In a small cage in the corner Rhys saw a shadowy yet familiar figure. It was a baby rhinoceros, they had used petunia to breed before killing her. Rhys felt some of his rage drop away. He had to rescue this child of his friend, even if it cost him his revenge.

 So, Rhys set into motion a new plan. He would do as much damage as he could and escape with the rhino pup. Rhys took the key for the cages off of the body of the night guard. He quickly unlocked each of the cave locks but did not open them yet. When he came to the cave with the young rhinoceros, he knelt down to look at the beast more closely. It was the second rhinoceros Rhys had ever seen, but he would swear it took after it's mother.

  It showed no fear toward the large man, in fact it seemed intent on playing with him. Rhys undid the lock on the cage and wrapped a rope around the figure of the small rhinoceros. The make shift leash would have to do. With his new rescue in tow, Rhys went to the back side of the cages. He channeled his chakra into his outstretched palm and whispered "Push". The magnetic waves emanating from Rhys's palm were able to push the cage doors open from the other side. All the beasts had been freed and chaos ensued.

  The newly freed beasts broke out into the camp in a mad frenzy. They tore through fragile tents, trampled the surprised poachers, and more than a couple men became a meal for half starved predators. The attack had been swift sand brutal. There was no telling how many men still remained, but Rhys hoped it would only be a fraction of their former numbers. It would be useful for when he returned to finish the job.

  For now Rhys had a new mission. He had to bring this new creature home to safety. He looked down at the young calf trotting happily beside him, and smiled. The son of petunia, he would name him Reorx.



(2415 wc)
STR D to D3 1175 wc -150 ryo
PER D to D1 325 wc -25 ryo
REA D to D1 325 wc -25 ryo
SPD D1 to D2 400wc -50 ryo

2225 wc used and -250 ryo

190Wc remaining.