Unlikely Encounter ~ The Silk Forest

Age : 33 Posts : 308

"Hmm..."

Kirigakure was still young in his mind. There was still much he didn't know about the terrain and had been spending much of his free time wandering about to get a feel for what was, at the time, his new home. It was something of serious interest that the balance between the nations had been upset and he awaited the day that a war would break out. Kirigakure, to his knowledge, had always been a victim of it's own violence and not that of a war; after all, the many islands and an entire gulf of water separating them form the events of the mainland. Funny too that if anyone was to push the envelope of war it would most likely be Kirigakure, as they would benefit the most from such international scuffles. But a war over what, and for what reason? Aitou was almost positive that there wouldn't be one; that if there was a battle to be had, it would be one of stubborn pride and ignorance. He was disgusted at the very thought of it.

But thats what these long walks were about. Time to reflect on not only himself but the world around him. Here, were the more unfamiliar lands to anyone, and hardly anyone bothered coming out to the 'bad lands' of Kirigakure. It was funny to think that within the scale of the nation were many islands with their own separate make up and design, and that they each had their own little secrets that could be exploited if need be. Resourceful and knowledgeable... a shinobi must use all available elements to his advantage. This particular island was one that he could walk with the water walking technique and an extension of sand that peaked up from the water like a bridge. It was originally just trees but the further he walked the more dense the vegetation was until it appeared to be a full blown forest. It was something like Konoha's forest with the exception that the trees themselves were much more modest then the monster sized columns that rose into the skies around Konoha. He could see how a novice, someone not used to such terrain, would easily find themselves lost in such conditions. He could, however, navigate with some certainty as to how he could return if need be; however, stumbling upon something a bit more interesting would keep him here for longer then he had planned. The Forest that was once lush in green seemed to melt away into drapes of white thread that began to cover everything until nothing could be seen but this white dough like material and the ground about it. A haze of sorts hung in the air; list a dust or smoke it drifted heavy and had a noticeable shimmer to it weighted down the mind. The curiosity was enough to bring Aitou to activate the sharingan eye to better observe his surroundings, though never once hesitant to explore further. It was perhaps this that saved him from the dangerous genjutsu that the haze was made to craft...

"What is all this...." He said as he watched the foreign chakra's race through the strands of the mysterious white substance. Suddenly a feeling that was someone known to him. That of an illusion. He could of course see through it with the sharingan active but what was the origin? It wouldn't be too long until he perceived this potential threat and thus he stopped, bending slightly at the knees and bringing his hands down to about hip level; ready to move at the slightest of actions. Once again, it is important to say that he wasn't at all scared or hesitant, he just...was and whatever was about him also simply was. It may have been strange, but this didn't make one situation any more threatening then any other. Suddenly a voice ws heard behind him; he turned on a dime to meet it.

"Strange, it's not often someone be atune enough to avoid the illusion of this area." An older man said, dressed in what was seeminly modest pesent clothing, though somewhat more vibrant in color. " You must be a shinobi, I' recognize one a mile away, maybe more." He said with something of a still smile, "Tell me, what brings you to our neck of the woods."

Aitou looked about curiously waiting for the man to say something that was vital, but intstead of simply answerig his question he dragged it on with another. "Where exactly am I?"

"Ahh... lost? We-"

"Well I wouldn't say lost..." He said, correcting him before he could even finish what he had said. The man seemingly smiled though it was obviously a more tense, nervous smile; one that was compromising instead of hostile in origin. For now Aitou could confirm that he would be safe, but for how long? The man continued.

"This area is the silk forest... it is our nursery, you see, we raise our young here where food is plentiful..." He said as if it was common knowledge, though his words drifted further into curiosity, as if wanting him to ask further. An open ended answer such as that begged for further inquiry an Aitou was happy to consent.

"What do you mean? What are you?"

"Ha, rather, what are you, that you haven't fallen victim to the twilight? I will let you know that you are being watched... at the slightest motion, we will--" Aitou cut him off once more.

"I am only on a stroll and stumbled upon... where ever I am. I mean no harm I assure you."

He responded, though with less patience, ". . .then please return to where ever you came and forget about this place." Unsatisfied, Aitou continued with the previous question.

"Again, what are you? I already know that you aren't human."

"I am a guardian of the nursery... what is it that you think gives away my lack of humanity?"

"My eyes... your chakra is nothing like a humans, and besides, something tells me you yourself aren't real. The charkra runs through you in the same way it does the silk... a clone?"

"Very good. So you can see chakra? You must be a member of the famed Uchiha clan then. Fallen from grace over the decades... That also explains why you are not caught by the twilight. Very well youth, allow me to explain..."

"I'm listening."

"This is all property of the Moth species... we as a colony live across the ocean in Gravel country, however are young are too fragile to survive among the challenges there... thus we raise them here until they are old enough to make the trip across the ocean... do you understand?"

"Then how is it that you appear human?"

"Like you pointed out, a clone. Most silk moths can control their own silk. By speaking through this silk puppet that appears to be a human I can assure that you not be startled... at least not too much."

"I see... Is this genjutsu?"

"Again, you are correct."

"Why?"

"Our wings can produce a pollen like powder... it's he best defense to get rid of intruders. However, it's much less effective against those who can see through them. If you have no business here I can only ask that you leave."

Aitou thought for a moment.

"How does your genjutsu work?"

"Shouldn't a Uchiha know?"

"Without hand signs I can't be sure."

"Hehe, silly humans, restricted to forms and signals to use chakra. Well then, allow me to tell you. The dust in the air is known as twilight to us... pheromone based; through taste and scent your body takes it in like a hormone. You humans can't pick it up however the moth species can sense things by their hormones from far off. I can tell that you are not hostile by the levels of the hormones your body generates."

"So you use scent as a medium."

"On a basic level, yes."

Aitou smiled lightly as he turned his hand to his side, pulling a single blade from it's sheathe and lifting it upward into the air. The man, though unfaltering, raised an eye brow to his actions. If it was true that he could monitor his emotional state then he would still know him not violent, and that this was only a demonstration.

"I happen to do the same thing. Can you sense the scent on my blade?"

"Indeed I can..." He said, seemingly breathing in from his mouth and then exhaling deeply; the same haze like dust pouring form him, though he knew it still to only be a clone. As the gentle breeze that the dust was moved with hit him he was almost immediately reminded of the scent. Lavender, the same as the oil that coated his blades.

"Did you replicate the scent?"

"Very good Uchiha, yes, hormonal scent can be altered. At times, we use it for advanced communication."

"I see..." Aitou looked upward.

"What are you thinking human?"

"Why do you think i'm thinking anything?"

"I've already explained our specific sensory ability..."

"Right. I have been in the market for a summon contract that compliments me well. As a Uchiha I can cast illusions, however I am limited to the scent of my blades in order to use jutsu without hand signs."

"I wouldn't lie, you are a uchiha, your eyes can do the same, can they not?"

"Yes, but it's more expensive then I'd like it to be... if you could replicate the scent of my blades on a larger scale I wouldn't at all be as limited." Aitou slid the blade back into the sheathe and bow in a polite manner. "What is it that I would have to do to form such a personal alliance with those of your kind?"

"Curious Uchiha, I am no spokesmen, but here the priority of the moth species here is our young. There is no interest in any other forms of business. I'm sure we would appreciate the offer, however." Only a moment passed that it seemed as though a breeze moved through the twilight and the man stopped for any number of moments. Aitou, glanced at him as if a man waiting for someone to respond as the person in front of him stared off into no where, his eyes coming to a shallow squint as if in thought. For a clone made by something that wasn't human, it could very accurately display human emotions, Aitou thought.

---meanwhile---

Aitou was being watched, and the conversation was being watched and all that was at there was being taken into consideration at an instant. As stated, the communication through pheromones was taking place and the idea of making this man, a Uchiha of the legendary eyes, an ally, was a lucrative prospect. There were few that had the weapon that was the sharingan, and fewer still that were born with it. In todays world, military might was based on quality, not quantity, and they quickly recognized an opportunity to capitalize on a situation. Before his offer was decline, a message was sent in the breeze to allow Aitou to train in the silk forest, and for that time they would decide if he was quality enough to be considered for such an alliance...

---back at the scene---

"Excuse me... forgive my hasty attitude. A challenge has been offered and you will be allowed to stay and train here for three days time in which we will evaluate you as a shinobi to earn such a right. You will not be allowed to leave, and thus must survive on your own effort alone. Do you accept?"

Aitou smiled with confidence and nodded. There were many other things that he had to accomplish but none of which took priority to the opportunity that was presented to him. He was reminded of a quote that said that said; 'luck is a combination of preparation and opportunity'. Perhaps in this moment he just might have gotten lucky...

[~1966 words]

Age : 33 Posts : 308

The next three days were a trail far greater in challenge then he had originally thought it would be. First of all, a number of realizations came about as time passed that would quickly make this much harder. The first was that his sharingan wouldn't laster forever. This was an obvious fact and it would take a number of moments before he noticed that he had some point had to rest his eyes, and his chakra. This first epiphany lead to the second, in which he noticed that the only thing that kept him from falling into the spell of the genjutsu was that he could see through it with the sharingan eyes. With his eyes returned to normal, the haze was inhaled normally and the hormonal scent absorbed and used to transfer the illusion to his body. He found it odd that he would have to endure the illusion even though he was now on neutral terms with the moth, though this was most likely a result of the test that they wanted him to 'pass' before he could take on their summoning rights. The next was another simply one. There was little to no food or water. All that was in this area was being consumed in some way be the young of the moth species. It was all controlled and moderated, but his attempts at finding something on his own merit were slim. While he could spend some time without food, water was absolutely a necessity. This would be made ever harder by the fact that he had to fight off the illusion that crippled his sense and made judgement much harder...

~Inside the Illusion~

It was a very simple genjutsu but one that was complex. There was no Kai out of it for as soon as it was shaken, it was cast upon him at a breathe. He used kai only when he could guarantee a few moment of freedom or when he found himself overwhelmed by the illusion just to let his mind breathe. It effects his sight more then anything, and in ways that he hadn't ever imagined. At times his vision would pull at him, zooming in and out at will, turning him about though he seemed to be headed in one direction, he would be moving away. Walking backward when he could swear himself walking forward, always leading him away from the silk forest with his own motion. It was very disorienting as running into trees, objects, or the silk itself that was draped about the forest became and all too common event. He couldn't help but think at how the moths that watched him from the air that he couldn't see would be laughing and snickering at his efforts. He eventually resorted to two things. The first was not moving at all. If he could navigate the illusion by studying it then he could develop a slow but steady way of moving. It would seem as though, after a dizzy hour of sickening distortions of his site he gave up in the assumption that there was no real pattern to the alteration of his site. It would seem almost as if the genjustu itself evolved. An interesting concept in itself for him to take into account.

In any case, he resorted to a very interesting and energy costly effort in which to move about. With each six of his swords he plunged them into the ground, using the otherwise infallible sense of touch to guide him, crawling almost as if climbing along a horizontal surface. How embarrassing it must seem, but why crawl if he had no were to go? He need only endure and wasting his energy would only prolong his suffering and maybe even lead to his death. A bit untimely. It was only then that he managed to regret this little challenge. Was it really worth it?

~2 days later...

One could only go without water for so long and Aitou new this. He was unprepared for the opportunity that was given him and recognized that now was not the time nor place in order to throw his life away. He looked upward and called to the heavens, where he was most likely being watched. "Grant me mercy and release me from this forest, I will leave without fight. I surrender."

Almost at an instant the man appeared beside him, "Is that so Uchiha? Are you this week that you wish to be granted freedom from the trial itself? So be it, but in your defeat you also loose the chance of any relationship with our species. Do you understand?." He said.

"I do."

He was then freed from his hell, brushed himself off and with a day or two of rest, managed to go about a new sort of training. In this case, he had a few more potent ideas in mind... a few jutsu that would reflect what he had just learned from the moths.