The boy had been here in the dense jungle wilderness for three days and counting. It had only been three days since he had awoken in this place with no memory of who he was. It was completely bizarre and he had no idea what to do. A small bug like creature had been there, he seemed to understand it's clicks just like human speech. The boy had given the creature the name "Ikimono". The creature could not tell him what was happening and seemed to be in the same predicament that he was in. It was a troubling event, but at least they had eachother.

The pair of them had spent the last few days securing the basic requirements for living. A nice little hole underneath a large umbrella of tree roots made for a cozy hideaway. A nearby stream gave them a fresh water source for drinking and washing. Food had been a little harder, finding edible fruits and roots was a challenge. Ikimono seemed to have some innate knowledge when it came to these matters, such as "don't eat the little red berries". When he was asked, Iki wasn't able to be explain where he had learned these things from. The boy himself had some internal direction, whether it was instinct or something else, he could not tell.

Man I am hungry. I don't want any more old dirty roots to chew on either. I want some meat. The boy grumbled in unison with his stomach. Ikimono gave a few clicks in agreement and scuttled around his neck. The pair were out about a kilometre from the home base, out searching the vicinity for food. They were slowly mapping the area, expanding the known universe with every passing day. There were birds up in the trees, but he doubted that they would be able to catch them. Just as the young male was about to suggest giving up for the time being, he spotted a little grey rabbit dart across their path. Oh did you see that? The little bug chittered in excitement. Yeah! But how can we catch it? Ikimono climbed up on top of the boy's head. There it is, maybe try and sneak up on it? The boy secured the cap on his head and bent over to pick up a rock the size of two fists. The target was munching on some leaves, large ears outstretched about 20 metres away.

The pair of hunters remained silent as they slowly crept up on the little animal. He only took a few steps before the rabbit perked it's head up and scampered off. Dang it we'll never be able to catch it. Iki scuttled down his neck and arm and onto his hand. The boy raised it so they were looking at eachother. Maybe we can try that thing from yesterday... What had happened yesterday still scared the two of them, it was some freaky event that he would rather not repeat. Then again, he was hungry. Alright, I guess it may help. Let us try at least. The two were on the same page, infact the human and animal seemed to have the same thoughts and ideas. Again the pair found the furry target, this time keeping their distance.

Ikimono and the nameless boy closed their eyes and concentrated. This had happened yesterday by accident, today they are trying to will it. They both focused solely on their task which was catching their prey. They wanted speed and lethality. Together as one, they would become something new. The boys olive skin started to bend and stretch. The little bugs body started to warp. His hand and Ikimono's body blended into eachother and their combined form shifted. The human male's clothes started to change colour. A tail started growing from the boy's back, a thick carapace grew on his skin. His arms stretched down to the floor and protruded wicked claws. His head stretched forward and stretched out into a snout, long spear shaped teeth filled his mouth. The pair had combined into something completely new. There he was, a creature with spines sticking out of it's rock hard outer skin. He was half way between a dog and a cow in terms of size and weight, but was unlike any species that could be found throughout the world.
(500kg, 1.5m nose to tail)

He was still. The beast that they had become was hunting, his instincts took over, crawling towards the rabbit with surprising stealth. He managed to creep up to within 10 metres, where the bunny perked up in warning again and looked the fearsome beast. It was stunned at the size of the predator, turning to run as the beast pounced upon it's kill. The claws went through the little creatures stomach and killed it instantly. It then bent it's head up to the sky and roared, the primal scream reverberating through the forest.

[865]

The beast hesitated as it peered down at the bloody mess it had caused by ripping open the little creature. It then would crane down and try to nibble at it's little carcass.

An extraordinary feeling, growing into such a large powerful body near instantly. It was strange and yet it felt so natural. His hind legs moved just like his human ones would, thinking about taking a step would result in the usual quadrupedal movement that a being with his body would make. If anything, he felt more at home like this then he did as a human. Ikimono, the little bug that had accompanied him from the first day was somehow blended into this large beast form that they had taken. They were of one mind when they were apart but now, they were literally of one mind. They controlled their body together. The pair was continually in sync functioned in a natural symbiotic relationship.

They was not sure what to do now, maybe attempt to change back and try to cook it? Their form could probably digest the food raw without getting sick but they didn't really want to stay like this for too long. Their powerful jaws may be able to just crush through the flimsy rabbit's bone if the ate it whole.

The large beast perked it's ears up at the sound of nearby rustling. They growled as an unfamiliar presence crept crept closer. The original prey was forgotten with this new occurrence, the beast could feel something strange in the atmosphere.. A new feeling, like a mist of energy that prickled his body. The sound of footsteps was getting closer. And there he was. A large figure of a man stood amongst the ferns, the collar of a dead man's shirt in his clenched fist. The male's posture portrayed someone of relaxed confidence. They were very surprised to see the new arrival, having never seen another human before.

Here, eat it. That rabbit is far too small for a large stomach such as yours.
He spoke in a low soothing tone after easily throwing the human carcass towards them. The combined pair were surprised at how close the man had approached before they had noticed and also at how easily he threw the weight of the body around. The beast would find this encounter a little unnerving, an atmosphere of natural strength surrounded the stranger.

Does he want us to eat him? The large scaly creature glanced from the stranger to the corpse, it's spiny tail twitched back and forth. The thought of devouring a human made them convulse a little. They were unsure about this situation and would back up a few paces, clawed feet snapping branches on the ground. After a few seconds, they decided to try to say something. What resulted in this attempt would be a noise along the lines of a moan changing in pitch. They felt like their throat wasn't fit for speech. Almost at will, the beasts vocal chords started changing. After a large amount of effort, they managed to spit out a gruff No.

This is no good, he'll never be able to understand any sort of attempted communication like this. The transformed pair decided to try to revert back to their individual bodies. Last time it had happened by accident so this was a little trial and error. Whilst keeping a careful eye on the stranger, the boy and the bug simultaneously willed themselves to separate. The change started at the head, the bared fangs and spiky armour started to recede. The long tail shrank rapidly and disappeared with a last flick. The torso change was quite laboured, the front part of the body bent into the air and the hind quarters grew hips and knees and then feet. The beast would metamorphosise into a into a boy whose fine features were still being defined. The little bug about the size of half a tennis ball would appear on the boy's shoulder.

The kid's eyes still were on the stranger, watching for any action. He realised that he was burning with questions, the sudden arrival of someone who may be able to help them or at least shed some light on what is going on made him itch with anticipation. He blurted out questions at the older male. Who are you. Where are we. Can you help me?

[744] /1609

So the strange man was named Uchiha Tenzo and they were in a place called the land of fire...

Ikimono chittered into the boy's ear. He was pointing out that Tenzo had some blotches of fresh blood hidden in the dark colour of his shirt. The realisation dawned that he had obviously killed the body in front of them. The bug made a few more clicks while the man paced, the boy understood them like words. Take care, he looks dangerous. Dangerous or not, the boy would not miss this opportunity for information. The sudden need for clarity on his situation swamped any desire for safety. They would take this risk.

The navy eyed kid didn't have any sort of qualms with the action of murder, he infact did not have any sort of moral compass at all. Beyond the basic animalistic instincts, he had nothing to go on. He was a complete blank slate in this regard but eating another human still seemed wrong. Maybe this man was hunting humans for his own dinner. It seemed a reasonable assumption due to being offered the meal himself.

The man called Tenzo said that he would indeed help them if they identified themselves. The boy furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes left the larger figure and focused on the twisted corpse on the ground. It seemed like the man would not trust him before giving his name but that was a problem. He glanced at his friend on his shoulder and they came to a silent agreement to tell the newcomer about their strange appearance. The nameless boy removed his black and gold cap and ruffled his oily black hair as he tried to find the right words. Well you see.. that could be a problem because I don't have a name. Me and Ikimono here woke up a few days ago in this land and have no memory of anything before that. So I don't know who I am, that's why I really want some answers, this is all quite frightening. He realised how mentally drained he had become with all the stresses of this new environment, security was a comfort that the pair craved.

Ikimono clicked a greeting that would probably not be understood by Tenzo. We certainly are glad to see you here, thanks for helping us. The boy and his animal companion truly didn't know what to expect, everything was new and surprising to them and yet.. it was all familiar. Situations that presented themselves for the first time were somehow manageable like their bodies were able to respond to them and react appropriately without conscious command.

[445] /2054

The nameless by shuffled uncomfortably underneath Tenzo's gaze. The larger male remarked that he knew his little friend's name but not his own and then started forwards. The boy was nervous that his explanation would not be enough to give his story credibility. Well, I gave him that name.. He likes it. I didn't really think I needed a name. Also he's not my pet, hes my friend. The bug chittered in agreement and wriggled it's webbed feelers. The pair had only been together a short while but they had already become very close. He couldn't describe it, their bond felt like some sort of hidden connection. They never considered going their seperate ways, staying together only seemed natural.

Tenzo stopped when he was in front of the body, bending down to it. He would then manipulate his hands in a flurry of strange motions. They peered at him, curiosity piquing. Suddenly, the body burst into bright blue flame. The scaly bug and fleshy boy simultaneously squeaked and jumped backwards, startled at the sudden disappearance of the corpse. Ikimono almost fell of his shoulder, little pinsirs scrabbling back on for a hold. The flames slowly ate into the body, disintegrating it and leaving nothing behind.

Nonetheless, what did you needed help with?
Wh-what was that? The sudden occurrence had rattled the pair, their focus now entirely on the seemingly spontaneous combustion of the corpse. How did you do that? Ikimono clicked wildly, saying the same sort of questions.

They had a lot to learn in this world of ninjas.

[266] /2220

This Uchiha Tenzo did not seem to think that this incident was anything remarkable in the slightest. When questioned about how he had made those amazing bright blue flames appear around the corpse, burning it into nothingness, he responded with strange terms. Hand seals, shinobi. Both of these things must be common place in this land. They could figure that hand seals referred to the way that he wiggled his fingers and wrist around just before the flames were conjured. He had no idea what 'shinobi' could refer to. The strange man had also mentioned his shapeshifting and how that meant he ought to know about whatever action he had just taken. Could my ability have some sort of link to that- whatever that was? They were completely intrigued. A lust of knowledge fell over them. The boy stood on one foot and itched his ankle with his toe. A weird balancing act by a wide eyed child. He said simply: Tell me.

First, there is a thing called chakra...
An energy in our bodies.. used for "techniques". The pair listened intently, soaking up the knowledge. The forest around them seemed to quieten as they focused singularly on this information. Do I know how to read. He repeated back absent mindedly and then snapped back to answer. Oh uhh, yeah. When the slight boy thought of the word books, he could recall an object made of paper that had writing inside. How come he knew what books were but not this "chakra"? Did they have this same chakra? He had an inkling that this was connected somehow to his abilities and maybe even his origin. When they had combined and changed, the both felt a toll on their bodies. Like their strength was drained.

The little kid furrowed his brow as Ikimono scurried up his neck and sat on his head. He doesn't seem to understand me, ask him about if there are other people. The boy passed on the question. Is there other people in the Land of Fire and can they do these techniques as well? I would love some books or something. I want to know as much as I can about this land.. is there anything important I should know? What's the world like? The pair were rooted to the spot. The gnawing hunger was a distant memory compared to the want of information. Tenzo seemed like a kind and trustworthy man. Both of them counted themselves lucky to have had this chance meeting.

[453] /2673

The two new acquaintances looked into each other. The boy's skin prickled under the gaze of those ebony eyes.  It was a tense moment for the boy, his harboured anticipation wasn't easily bottled. He held his breath whilst Tenzo hummed. He was told that there were indeed others in this country and that they could use these techniques. The man came from a village called Konohagakure and mentioned that he could find more answers there. They continued to hold each others gaze. The boy's mind slowly pondered on the thought of the other people in this world. What were they like? What strange powers did they possess? The man belonged to a village, a collection of people. The two young friends didn't know if they belonged anywhere, if they could belong somewhere.

The older male walked over to the tree to his side and slumped down on it. He leaned back on it and resumed his gaze on the pair. He looked a little fatigued, the boy could feel he was himself a little tired but the thrill of the meeting was keeping him alert. Both of the friends remained silent, they stood stock still whilst waiting for more. They could see that Tenzo had more to say. He would then start, saying that they would need to know something...

The people who were part of these villages were indeed capable of the same sort of techniques and they are called shinobi. But apparently some people had left these villages so that they may do what the sitting man described as 'unhealthy activities'. He was saying that it is dangerous outside of the village. Tenzo would then flick his eyes around the surrounding area. The boy gasped and the bug squeaked. The quickly turned and peered into the woods in one direction and then the next. They could be in danger in this land. Thoughts of patient predators hiding themselves amongst the brush, waiting for them to sleep so that they may spread the blue flames of death over their helpless bodies. The young male started lightly hyperventilating, he turned back to Tenzo, wide eyed. They didn't know what was possible in this world. What should we do? What can we do to protect ourselves?

The pair were very thankful that the man that had come was not one that was going to harm them. What they needed now was to prepare themselves for any of the eventualities that now troubled them. A thought struck the boy. You said murder was an unhealthy activity.. I assume it was you who killed that man. Do you have to leave your village now? They weren't scared of Tenzo, if he wanted to do ill to them, he would have already made a move.

[467] /3140
~Exit~

Training: