Underground: Deeper than Emotions (Private)

Age : 29 Posts : 766

The sand flew wildly inside the training cavern underground. Many underground knew to leave and let the shinobi train. The odd and expectedly random sandstorm died down after many of the shinobi left. The much empty space was now fill with sand as Near made the training ground into his own sandbox. As he strangely stood, he ran his hands through the sand, blood flashing through his mind. I'm too unstable...is this my fault or this beast's fault...do we share the responsiblity of this, he thought as his hands emerged from the sand. He seemed relaxed as his eternally bored eyes began moving the sand to start a puzzle. But then he fell backwards, letting the sand fall to the ground.

Then, the body that lay, began to raise itself, suspened by a clump of sand as Near returned to a sitting position before standing up. It's good to....exercise my powers...., he thought as he had his gourd brought to him, and put it on his back. He then made sure it wouldn't fall off and break. "What point is there...to exist where one doesn't talk....", he said, looking around as the sand slowly began returning to his gourd.

"To live without purpose is not what I do!", he violently said as he sent his sand against a poor training dummy. The sand quickly covered it, and Near glared at it. "Don't judge me!", he said to the dummy as he crushed the sand around it.

The sand collasped and what was left of the dummy was revealed to Near as he wide-eyed his power. The sand suspended in the air started collasping, and Near fell down as the gourd sucked up the rest of the sand.

I didn't.....did I just.....I'm glad it was a person, Near thought as he held up what was left of the dummy. He tossed it aside as sighed as whoever was still there probably stared blankly at Near. Don't stare, I don't like it, he thought as he found a more quiet spot inside the cavern.

He started crying, burying his face into his arms. Muffled words came out, "I can't stand life like this, feeling like a monster that could harm anyone I care for quickly." It took him a wile to realize he'd need to stop crying. This power alone won't make me stronger, I can still be who I am if I can smile, he thought, trying to smile. Trying to grin, he reached is objective, only to frown as he heard the echo of the word monster.

It bounced through his mind, like it was the cavern itself. "Stop it, please, I'm not a monster!", he said loudly. Near fled, taking off deeper into the training grounds to hopefully find seclusions. He couldn't stand his feelings of despair, unforgiveness towards others, and lack of love. I wish I had a puzzle, he thought as he wiped his face with is sleeve. He put his head into his arms and sat quietly, allowing himsef to try and cool down.

Posts : 19

Raizou was bored and decided to go for a quick training session. He made his way down the street smiling as thoughs of a fruitfull training session began to flood his head. He just hoped that he didnt over do it like the last couple of times he trained by himself. Mabye i will find someone who will spar with me he thought. As he made his way to the training area, he saw some of his fellow shinobi running out from the entrance to the cavernous training facility. As they rushed past him he grabbed one of them by the wrist and asked Whats going on in there? you all look so frightened. The kid just looked at him and said, Ya know that one crazy weird kid, that sandy freak. Yeah, hes lost it! the kid then ran home. Thats weird, i think i should go investigate to make sure he hasnt hurt anyone or himself As Raizou entered the cave he heard echos of somebody screaming, they sounded like they were unhappy. Raizou broke into a sprint, following the sound of the screams to find the kid that everyone was so scared of sitting on the ground, his head in his arms. "Are you all right?" Raizou asked him really conscerned.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Without looking up, Near though about answering the boy near him. It's ironic that I'm called Near with people far away from me, he thought, his eyes staring blankly at the ground below him. He planned to sit there, and not reply to the boy who showed concern. But could this be a sign that things may finally change for me, he thought, asking himself the question that made him smiled on this inside. It warmed him and made him feel radiant that, though many people fled, at least one was trying to care.

I at least owe him an answer, he did show kindness, which is better than anyone has tried, he thought as a deep breath echoed across the cavern. "Yeah, I'm alright.", Near replied, both the strange anger and deep sorrow removed from view and replaced with false hope of a true friend. His face rose from it's entrenched position in his arms, glancing at the boy. He was a genin, like Near, but lead a more subtle life, or so Near had heard.

The smile Near plastered on his face was genuine, showing sincerity and happiness, such emotions Near felt he was never capable of. It shocked him that one person sparked his emotions by showing worry for him. It made him want to ask him just one thing; Why. "Why, why did you....show such care where others...simply ran?", he said in a quiet voice. "Do you not consider me a monster like everyone else does?", he continued, the word monster echoing off the walls of his head, a deep, loud voice taunting him.

"I noticed the concern in your voice, it made me feel different than I've ever felt.", Near said to him. I'll even introduce myself, I should at least let him know, he thought as he stood up. "I'm Hideaki, Makoto, but please don't hesitate to call me Near.", he said to him. Near's eyes looked bored, dull and senseless as he looked into the boy's eyes. Someday...I may call you friend., he thought.

Posts : 19

Raizou smiled Im glad you are all right He noticed the pained look flash across the kids face, it was only just a second but it was there. "Why, why did you....show such care where others...simply ran?" the boy said in a very quiet voice. Because, im not like everyone else, i think its wrong the way you have been treated. And i dont think you are a monster, you cant help who you are. You didnt ask for this. Raizou continued. Afer the boy introduced himself as Near, Raizou exteded his hand to Near offering it to help him up. Im Haretsu Raizou, but my friends call me Rai This kid seems very shy, im going to make sure nobody is ever mean to him again

Posts : 52

Some people were so blind, so what if the boy had the Shukaku? It was better than having it run wild and terrorizing the villages. Shinji was currently sitting up on a rock ledge inside the cave, examining the two down below in the center of the cave. Everyone but those two below and himself had run away when the boy with the gourd had unleashed his sand. They were alike that boy and him, each with their own unique ability. However Shinji knew he was the lucky one, his ability was one that was coveted and the boy, the boy was called a monster and shunned to the point where he could easily have gone insane.

The pair were talking in low voices, whispers almost, but Shinji wasn't too interested in what they were saying, however what he was interested in was the fact that these two could quite possibly be his future teammates. He dropped down off of his perch to the floor below, there was no point in delaying their meeting any longer. He watched for their reaction to his sudden appearance and walked towards them looking back and forth between them. So this was the Jinchurikki of the Ichibi, why the Kage would seal it within this kid was unknown to him, and the other kid, well he didn't know anything about the other kid, he had seen him before, but he wasn't too concerned with that. He looked down at the Jinchurikki raising an eyebrow, "You shouldn't be bothered by those people that run away from you, your....abilities....make you who you are, don't be ashamed of that." A small smile spread across his face, he was wanting to make friends with the kid, after all, if they were going to be on a team, it would be good to establish a friendship now. He payed less attention to the other Genin, but that would change later, right now, the sand suer was his focus.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

What is this....emotion...is it...possible it would be happiness, he asked himself. The boy, Haretsu, Raizou, was something Near speculated as strange. His eyes darted up and down Rai's body, judging him to be unique, due to his caring personality. I dont' like this, I can feel careful eyes watching me, like I'm some freak, he thought, eyes darting to look around the cave. Another boy, this one who fell from the cieling of the cavern, or so Near thought.

The boy approched and Near's eyes stayed glued to the newcomer. It intruged Near that, not only did one person not show fear and approch Near, but two did. It made him come to a shock and want to back off. But to where, there was no option to hide in this situation, or escape. The cold eyes stuck to the new boy, as he addressed Near's abilities. "You....know nothing of what I was put through for what you address as my abilities!", he said, before sitting back down, head meeting the arms once more. What was that....I'm I truelly a monster, a tool, a weapon that simply destroys, he asked himself.

He kept quiet now, a quiet that would remain for a while. Near was unwilling to talk now. All he could think about was attacking and crushing the newer boy. He had hit a nerve, a nerve Near hated. I need to stay calm, I don't want to hurt these two who are simply trying to show care for me, he thought. Tears ran down his face, dropping slowly to the ground as Near muttered out one word to the newcomer, "Sorry."

Posts : 19

Raizou heard two feet hit the floor of the artificially lit training cave. And then a boy spoke, his tone had no compassion whatsoever, he was as cold as ice. "You shouldn't be bothered by those people that run away from you, your....abilities....make you who you are, don't be ashamed of that." the boy said. Raizou turned to look at the boy, he looked up and down the length of his body. All of a sudden Near snapped. "You....know nothing of what I was put through for what you address as my abilities!" the sound of the hurt in his voice stirred up a flame in Raizou, he turned to the newcommer and said Look, you need to leave! Im not going to stand by idly after somebody upsets my friend! Raizou's calm green eyes, turned almost as angry as the sea. Raizou heard the faint sound of little drops hitting the floor.

Posts : 52

Shinjis eyes glazed over for a moment, letting the Jinchurikkis' comment hit him with full force. From that comment he learned about the boy, he learned that he was afraid, he learned that the boy was unstable, finally he learned that the boy felt alone. Then Shinji heard the otehr boy yell at him as well, telling him to leave, however, Shinji wasn't one to cave like that, he was here to be a friend. But before he could speak the boy said something that was unexpected for Shinji at least, "Sorry."

Shinji blinked once, a curious gleam in his eyes. "It's fine, from what I see you've had a life of bad luck, but the way I see also see it, you would make a good friend. I'm Shinji, and I want to be a friend of yours." He glanced over at the other genin, "And don't tell me what to do, it's a bad idea" He looked back at the boy with the gourd and held his hand out, offering to help him up, "Whats your name?" he asked curiously. Shinji wasn't always like this, but this kid seemed to have a need for companionship in him, and Shinji wanted to help, and this boy and he were alike, they both were ones who were different, unique in and of themselves.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Near heard Rai's comments. He really doesn't to...protect me like that, he thought, head buried in his arms. the pattern of dripping made by Near's tears seemed to stop. It was Near's opinion that stopping his sorrow would make him better. I gotta admit though, if there's anyone who I'd want to team up with permenantly it would be these two, he thought as his head lifted up, dull, tired eyes fixed and gazing at the outstretched hand.

Wha-- really...your so generous, you two, I don't deserve friends like you no matter what I think, Near thought before Shinji's word's broke the walls. A life of bad luck, he thought. "Luck plays little part in this, you either accept fate and move on, or you change it.", he replied to Shinji. "And if you can't solve the puzzle, your nothing but a loser.", he said. What.....did I just do, he thought. Did I just insult someone who was trying to be my friend, he questioned himself.

"I'm sorry...if I insulted you.", he said. He got up without Shinji's help. "I could use friends.", he said, smiling. Shinji, Rai, If I ever hurt you, please forgive me, he thought. "I'm Near, I'll assume you already know about the unique ability I possess.", he said, taking it from the previous deduction. I don't know if I'll make you any problems, but can do what I can do, he thought.

Posts : 19

Raizou smiled he heard the small droplets stop hitting the ground and Near got up on his own power."Luck plays little part in this, you either accept fate and move on, or you change it." those words stuck in Raizou's mind, they explained a lot about life. He wondered how this kid got to be so wise and insightful at such a young age. I bet its because he has lived such a hard life up until this point. Im going to make sure that his life is normal from now on.

Near said that he could use friends, Raizou would like that, he needed friends and he felt like they both would get a lot out of their friendship. This shinji kid seemed like he had good intentions but Raizou really hated the fact that he had upset Near from the moment he appeared. Raizou turned to Near, and said "Why dont we get out of this cave and go get some ice-cream? He then turned to shinji and added "You are welcome to come too." Raizou had a genuine smile on his face, he was truely happy.

Posts : 52

Shinji nodded at what Near had said, and found that he agreed with it, luck was something that didn't play a part in the rules of the universe, at least none of the ones he knew about. He shrugged when Near apologized, "People often say things influenced by emotion, we can't help it, its just a fundamental part of being human." He took a step back to give Near the space he needed to get up, and a slight smile tugged at his mouth when he said that they knew about his ability, as it was rather obvious they did, since that was what this entire conversation had been about in a roundabout way.

He looked out of the corner of his eye at the other boy at his suggestion to get ice cream, not that he didn't like ice cream, however he didn't really feel like it currently. "Nah, thats alright, I was here to work a little on my Crystal release. I might catch up later though, unless you want to wait a little bit." As a quick example of what he meant by crystal release, Shinji picked up a medium sized rock and held it in his palm, and encasing it within a blue crystal, then crushing it in his hand and sprinkling the flecks of blue in front of him. "Crystal release. My ability." he smiled a little looking at the flecks of gem that were slowly falling to the ground. "Not that I'm underestimating you Near, however, I think I can help repress you and prevent you from hurting us." He blinked slowly looking back at Near, "I'll help you grow into a great shinobi, and help prevent the fear you seem to have about your Shukaku. I'm here for ya."

(Sorry I took so long, been on a trip and haven't had internet that is fast enough to respond.)

Age : 29 Posts : 766

The worry, the fear, the excitement, it's all just too sudden, and too much, he thought. Although no physical changes were noticable, his gears stopped and were on the verge of a major meltdown. I cant' even open my mouth, and these mixed emotions hurt but yet feel so good, why, what is this, he asked himself in panic as the large dull eyes returned, as they slightly shivered as they appeared in a deep trance.

As the eyes returned to reality, the head slowly shook Near's response. His eyes fell onto Rai. They seemed fixed on him, just blankly staring at Rai's own eyes, as if there was something behind him or in his eyes. "I'm truelly sorry Rai-kun, but I'm not going to go for Ice Cream.", he stated. "As much as I love sweets, I'm going to go home.", he said. "If you want to know where I live, you can just about ask anyone about the Jiinchuriki and they'll tell you.", he said.

"Rai-kun.", he said, his eyes fixed on Rai until they moved to Shinji. "Shinj-kun, thank you for your offers, but I'll pass it up to do things I'd enjoy right now.", he said, as he turned around and started walking. I dont' expect you to understand, I just want, he thought as he raised his hand in a waving gesture. "Cya you both around, Rai-kun and Shinji-kun, it was pleasent to have met your aquaitences today.", he said without turning around.

I wont' say I hate you, but I won't say I'm already your best friend, we just met and I have no social skills so pointing out your flaws and staring at you will be surprising to you two, he thought, happy thoughts floating in of the three genin in Near's room, playing with his many toys, and putting together puzzles. "I wish that is what it could be.", he said quietly to himself.

Posts : 19

Raizou smiled a half hearted smile as Near said that didnt want to get ice cream and that he was going home, he really wanted them both to go get ice cream with him.
"Oh, a-alright then, i'll see you around. He said as his heart sank. Im so stupid!!! Why would they want to have ice cream with a freak like me!??? What was i thinking? Raizou turned to Shinji and said Do you still want to go get ice cream with me?

Posts : 52

Shinji watched as Near exited the cave, he felt bad for the kid, though it appearred that for now he didn't want to be helped. When he heard Raizou ask him if he wanted to get ice cream again he shook his head once more, "Gotta train I told ya. Though its getting kinda late and I think Mother will have supper ready soon. So I guess I should head home, Ill see you around maybe." Shinji walked back to the mouth of the artificial cave, waving over his shoulder and exiting, taking the winding path back to his home.

-Exit-

Posts : 1084

ARCHIVED.

Age : 29 Posts : 4301

Archived.
Due to character death.