Ursa Ursa, You're My Star. Now I Wonder, Who You Are.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

OOC: Travel Topic

As the parasol twirled elegantly, it's black design imprinted upon the ground as a shadow. The cool air hinted nothing to the sole human traversing across the lands. Her only company was the faint, yet distinct humming of a song that occasionally escaped her closed lips. With every step, she let herself breath in slowly, to release the air quickly. Her lashes fluttered like the wings of crows, whom fled from her. They screeched their disgusting noises and took their diseased bodies. "Vile and filthy, but of course. If it wasn't for them, this scenery before myself would not be perfectly...", she began, breathing in the scent of grass. The swaying branches and leaves of the dense forest, the spiral and spherical clouds, or even the short, sweet grass. Everything around her was just, just so, "... natural.", she spoke softly, as if she felt some unkown force, something otherworldly had recently approched her.

Given the recent events that had transpired, Miu wasn't surprised that she found herself back to simply smiling to people and allowing herself to utter a few simple yet faint greetings. Her emerald eyes hid some ulterior motive behind coming to The Bear Country, but she hadn't the faintest clue if one existed within her. She had only thought to come here because, those who sheltered her had encouraged it. She came her on what little trust and faith she had built for that family. Regret filled her now, rising like the temperature might on a clear and dry summer day. However, she appeared to remain calm and serious, her face remaining an emotionless facade. She questioned how well she managed to continue to keep her childish intent despite the serious attitude she gained around the situation.

Now Miu wasn't one to wish death upon those who helped her. She was often, not willing to raise any exception to this. However, as of today, she decided she needed to. Whether it was merely common sense finally surfacing in her subconcious, or she was once again being erratic and cynical, she'd never want to question. It was perhaps a great discovery to be able to think in such a manner. To grow and change her opinion. Mold it based on experiences she had, instead of what she's been told already. Miu came back to paying attention to reality, noticing that there was an inn ahead. As the day was sure to draw to an end eventually, she would need to stop. If only the convience of this inn wasn't her worst suspicion right now.

She approched it gracefully, remembering to use her manners and show class. She didn't want to attract too much attention, but needed to maintain her regular attitude. She began to close her parasol and maintained her grip on it as she entered the open door. The thick and heavy scent of homemade goods, and of course, alcohol, found home in her lungs. She was disgusted by this and wanted to leave. Yet she willed herself onto the owner. At least what she thought was the owner. It wasn't, and the mistaken man pointed Miu in the right direction, She thanks him ever so politely and scampered off towards her intended target.

It had taken her sometime to acquire a room, but she managed. It wasn't large or grand, but it would have to be suffice. She did not want to remember how awful the innkeeper acted. Outlandish. Miu thought she was quite the whore, but reduced her words to only being a 'thank you', before she ran to the room. Disgusted and outraged simultaneously, she found herself nearly brought to tears over the fond memories of her sensei. No, I must never go back, she thought as a voice similar to hers, yet slightly more seductive answered her thoughts. You must move foward! Show them how you felt! What else is there for us? They've taken so much from us and we're just giving up? Pathetic, the thoughts echoed around her, driving her into holding her knees close to her body.

She awoke, approximently an hour later. She remembered the voice and shuttered, moving for the door, only to refuse it's call. She looked around the room, and it seemed larger. She removed her blouse, setting it down on the table with her purse and parasol. she removed her boots and lace stockings, tossing them onto the floor lazily, drained of energy as her gloves dropped onto her blouse and she reached under the bed for her hat. Her white hair touched against the ground, gaining a bit of dirt. She ignored this, already annoyed by having to clean her hat. She put it on one of the pillows. She fell back onto the bed, sighing as she began to remove what little make-up she actually wore.

She looked up into the the sky. She found it odd that there was a window in the ceiling of her room, but she enjoyed the view. Every little star shined brightly, some larger than others. Some were brighter than others. She admired every star. She thought about her habits and activities, little realising that she couldn't paint or even sketch the sight before her without adequate equipment and whatnot. However, tonight she decided to settle solely on observing the sight she beheld. Only in awe, capturing the image in her mind. Whether she would remember was beyond her calling. She only wanted to enjoy it.

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Aomame started to hop her way on the dirt path crushing the little rocks underneath her feet. Some did actually crumble underneath her small boots but they were just clods of dirt. Many of them were pebbles and just got caught in the grooves of her boot. She couldn’t giggle but there was a large grin on tiny face. Keiro thought of how she was laughing even without the use her mouth but with her eyes. He only saw the back of her head with long sky blue hair that trailed to her lower back. Alina had tried to put it in a ponytail so it wouldn’t get caught but Aomame had arguably taken off the little band and held it in her hand as they reached into town. Alina had scolded her but it was for naught as her words could not faze the free-spirit child that was Aomame.

“Don’t run up ahead now!” She yelled as Aomame continued to hop then skip a few steps ahead of them “I don’t want you to get lost now!”

Keiro’s hand rested on Alina’s shoulder “She’ll be fine. She’s not going to trail on us.” Alina had a doubtful looked but she turned and saw that Aomame was now trying to prop herself up to one of the stands that was selling sweet rolls. Above her were shelves of fried breads, glazed donuts either with powdered sugar or melted chocolate now cooled on the top, cinnamon rolls with thick amount of cinnamon sugar rolled within the interior of the roll caught her eye. Never had she seen such food in her life. The smell must have gotten to her. She looked to find a large man with a gut that protruded over his waist stirring a pot with a long piece of metal. She could hear the bubbling of something frying in the large pot, his arm rotating into it like a witch to a cauldron concocting a magical potion for the little boys and girls. He was singing something that Aomame had never heard of, only because she’s been in a laboratory since her life had continued. It was a cheery, upbeat tune that almost wanted her to hum it along with him if she could. His head swivel and he took notice of Aomame.

“Oh dear, what’s this?” The rough voice of the stand owner said “A little customer. How can I help you today?” The man did not get the chance to know that Aomame was mute. Both Keiro and Alina came from behind and stood beside her. “Hello,” he said clapping his hands with delight “how can I serve you today?”

Keiro looked at the boiling vat of oil that was frying the bread ever slowly. He never been much for an eater of bread and probably never would but Aomame had looked at curious want. She didn’t look at it as if a child who was spoiled who looked at it with an eye of entitlement which made it all the better. He looks down at Aomame “Do you want a donut?” She nodded and pointed to one of the donuts that were iced with chocolate. The man got a small napkin and grabbed it. It was a fairly large donut as it took two hands from the giant man to give to Keiro. Keiro pulled out a few bills and hand it to him taking the donut in exchange.

“My oh, she’s going to be in a sugar rush tonight.” Alina grabbed the donut “Geez Keiro, you didn’t think that she would be hyped up if you gave that to her. At least save it for dinner.” Aomame’s eyes had a desperate look to him as Alina took the donut. Alina did not show any mercy “No, you’re not getting this until after your dinner. I don’t want you up all night. Bad enough Shikyo-san over here decided to give you one.” Her eyes slanted and gazed at Keiro. He put up his hands up in surrender but laughed heartedly.

They reached a small inn where they had intentions for staying the night. After their entire masquerade last night in the forest with the group of men who were after them, they decided it was best to just leave the forest for now and just enter into a town where it was viable to be around buildings and people rather than the silent of the night, the rustling of the campfire and the animals of the forest. Alina and Aomame sat down in a chair, Aomame’s legs swinging back and forth as she waited while staring anxiously at the napkin on Alina’s lap where the donut was placed. Keiro rented a room for the night, grabbed the key and thank the keeper for it. He had to say that it was a nice inn; it was a bigger improvement from the one he was staying in the town two days ago. Comparing this inn to the one in that small town would be like comparing sweet apples to mud. They came into their room, a two bed inn with the works. It wasn’t a flat mat but two spring mattresses. It appeared to be modernized as there was a small little TV set on a dresser in front with a small nightstand in between the two beds. Over the beds were two pictures, on the right was a picture of a sailboat and on the right was a picture of a harbor with sailboats coming to dock.

“This place absolutely looks kind of-“ She started then stopped trying to find the word for it.

“Lame?” Keiro try to add

Alina shook her head “I was going to say it has a rustic…almost nostalgic because this reminds me of my uncles and aunts spare room whenever I came over. They had a love for sailboats.” Her eyes lowered reminded sadly of her home for a moment before breaking out of the trance seeing Aomame sign “When are we going to eat?”

“Soon honey.” She said softly “We’ll order room service. Well…” she points to Keiro “You’ll order room service. See if they got any available here.”

“No please?” he leaned against the door. She gave him a cynical look and again his hands rose up in surrender “All right, all right. I’ll see if anything is available. What if they don’t have anything? I can go out and get some stuff if you want.”

“Get me something fishy. I’m craving fish at the moment. And bring back some wine too. Oh and make sure you bring some utensils and some extra clothes for-“

“Easy, easy” Keiro was gesturing for her to slow down “I’m here to get food not go grocery shopping. I’ll get that tomorrow morning or afternoon. Let’s aim for food at the moment.”

Alina sighed and shooed him away “Fish then. I’m really craving fish.” Alina turned her back and saw Aomame standing on the chair looking out at the window. Her color changing eyes viewing the outside world as the sky fell onto its other half, the twin brother that all men see every day. “She’ll probably want some fish too. Just hurry with the food, she might get antsy.”

Keiro said a remark which consequently ended with his face covered with a pillow. He threw it back at her and got out of the room before she had a chance to throw it back in retaliation. He did hear the pillow hit the door then heard it fall on the floor. He walked his way down the long stretch of the hallway. He found himself thinking again on how he had gotten himself caught in another crazy situation like this-again. He knew life had to be one hell of a author putting him into spots and situations where it is just entertaining for it to see him handle a random curveball. Travelling to rain country and what did he get, a powerful ally with wealth galore. He travels to bear country and what did he find but a woman who sleeps with swords, a guy who, supposedly, changed the color of his eyes and young woman who had the heart of warrior and a mind of a cynic and a little four year old girl that is mute and eyes that changes colors on a dime. How thoughtful of life to bring these curve balls though he would definitely say his recent venture is more of a sinker.

Keiro came out into the lobby to find the owner still sitting reading a magazine. He simply asked the owner if they provided dinner. They did and Keiro made the transaction. He wanted to wait outside for it. He took a step out and felt that warm summer air hit him again. There were few people still on the street, walking around and about talking amongst themselves. They wouldn’t even see Keiro sit down in one of the chairs and just watch as they moved or just sit and looked up at the starry night. Keiro looked up at them finding his mind trailing to the time of old…the time in which all things was simple and all things seem to be unbroken and unmarked. There was a simple time where he could watch the starry night with a friend or perhaps a potential girlfriend and just see the simplicity of the universe. It is the night sky that seemed to describe him. So many things in that blank void that just can’t be examined individually. One has to take into a general perspective of it as there are more things out there in that black void than one can imagine. He saw a stream of fire rise into the sky then explode out into different colors of vibrant greens and reds then hues of purples. The explosions of the fireworks made people look up and peer in awe at the display. It must be a festival Keiro thought and watched the sky explode in the display.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

It only took her a quick second to catch the dazzle display outside. From her window view of the sky, it was nothing. Curiousity was killing her, just waiting to plunge a knife deep into her, getting her moving. She slid off onto the floor, standing herself up slowly but surely. She began dressing as fast as she could, but still trying to maintain her style and image. After all, it wouldn't be me if I didn't, she thought, placing the small hat on her head. She applied her eye shadow and red lipstick only to the bottom lip. She made sure she wasn't dressed badly, as everything needed to be taken with pride and care. She looked up and everything was still displayed. The lights dancing in the sky, only to fizzle out of sorts later.

She unlocked the door slowly. Her boots made the floor creak slightly, something she hadn't picked up on until now. If anything, as she closed and relocked the door, Miu was suspicious of the world around her. Not very many people opted to stay inside, instead choosing to wander outside and watch. As she entered the lobby, she didn't spot far too many people, smiled and tipped her hat in the direction of the owner, whom was deep into a magazine or something of the sorts. She realised that she wasn't noticed and continued foward to the door. It's going to seem so joyful and wonderous, she thought as she pushed the door open to stand outside and witness, what she was now assuming was a festival.

She was in awe. She refused to find a chair and opted to stand and watch. Witness. View. What a sight to behold. If beauty were truely in the eye of the beholder, than this was beautiful. She was smiling, yet she did not know. Perhaps it was the overwhelming joy in being outside again, or that her night sky of dreams was assualted by fireworks. Regardless, she didn't budge. Wanted to see every single one. She had seem them before, but not since she was in her home. Home brought back those awful memories and that awful voice in her mind. Screeching, clawing, with it's talons. It wouldn't let her suffer.

Were Miu found peace through a small lie or pretended to not notice something, it wanted the truth. It didn't settle for anything less. It wanted a purpose. To search for something they could serve. It was only a matter of time before Miu gave out to her old self. Let this new self emerge. Perhaps it was only fair. The mental stress she had placed upon herself was overwhelming and she was always honest to herself. She was just finally speaking back. But even her other, small, but dangerous personality was stumped by the sight. I bet those would hurt someone if he launched them at people, she could hear it's horrid thoughts once again.

But she didn't seem to mind it this time. In fact, a quite small, but noticable laugh escaped the usually calm and focused demeanor she tried so desperately to maintain. A facade of her true self, emerging due to the nature and truth of her situation. I can only make the best of what I have, she thought, heading back into the lobby. Her other 'self' decided to give her one of her truths. Trademark at that and related to the biggest topic of anyone's mind. Survival. We need to shapen up. Find allies. Regardless of how bad they are. Need to work with them, under them, protect them. Maybe find what we seek, it thought to her, as she took a seat in the lobby.

Posts : 760

There was a shout of an odd name, Aomame, that echoed in the inn. There were the steps that pitter pattered on the ground, small feet probably no bigger than a four year that ran with the utmost excitement. The little girl slid, a beautiful slide that only some kids who were dexterous at nine or ten, at the corner sliding into the main lobby. The owner had heard the commotion and raised an eye over his magazine that he had read many times before. He saw the girl slide on the wooden floor, her feet covered with very white socks that went up to her knees. If she could laugh she would’ve but there was only a large grin on her face that could only presented as pure. He looked at the girl and sworn, by the life of him, that the color of the girl’s eyes were changing color. He had thought the color of the eyes was green but when he saw it again it was the color viridian. He didn’t even know what viridian was nor had he ever seen such a color yet-he shook his head. No, it was his imagination. No eyes can change color. Not unless they were in clans were the person was a Uchiha or a Hyuuga. He’s heard that their eyes can change colors but not normal folks, not little girls. The thought passed and the man smiled and returned to his magazine.

The girl had made her way to where the chairs were where she spotted the young woman sitting in a chair with her head facing the direction of the door. She slowed down a bit to a slight jog and looked at her. The color of her eyes had changed from sunshine yellow to the immediate color of sunset orange. Her eyes could not hide the sight of the woman who was looking out at the door. What did the little girl see? She did not understand the thoughts that ran into her mind, the rambling of words that made little to no sense to her. The color of her eyes had turned green and to an oceanic blue. The thoughts, really after thoughts, came into Aomame’s head with wobbling certainty. She heard the words Shapen, allies. Then she heard a sentence Regardless of how bad…. Need to work with them, under them, protect them… What this meant had little to do with her. Her skin was almost the same as recently fallen snow something Aomame had only seen once in her life. She was skinny compared to Alina but she was the only woman she could compare her with and what added it all up was the fact that she was odd. It wasn’t the bad type of odd where she was scared like the needles that were inserted into her body or the gases they made her inhale time in and time out. Those feelings, that sensation of being not all there was odd. She was just-odd. She had no other way to describe it. She only knew that this woman-no, girl. By the world’s standards she is a girl but many of the world see her as a full blown woman-was something she did not understand. Quite frankly, Aomame didn’t want to understand what she was unless someone explained it to her.

“Aomame!” Alina yelled. Aomame knew it was time to stop examining and start running back outside. There was a light show, stuff that was exploding in the sky and lights falling out. She had never seen it in her entire life. She knew that Alina would scold her but she had to see it. She was drawn towards it like a fly to a light and there was nothing she could do that can hold her back. She turned and saw Alina in a bathrobe. She had changed out to take a quick shower (“When I’m getting to the inn, I’m taking a hot shower. I haven’t taken one in days” She said to Keiro. “Just don’t take all the hot water” he said as he was signing the receipt) She had to be quick again and made her way outside.

Keiro heard Alina’s yell. The woman had lungs on her he thought. Would make a great auctioneer or hell one of those mothers that could scream across an entire village and you would know exactly that she was calling on you. He turned his head and saw Aomame do a jump stop, taking a small leap and landing in front of him. She was still in her dirty clothes, her brown t-shirt more a black not because of age but of dirt of the forest. Maybe Alina was right to say that she needed some clothing after all. If there were any shops open, he would have to go and make a few stops to get her some clothes for her. She looked at Keiro, her eyes a mischievous orange. Her eyes slanted, a sly smile filled her lips. Keiro had been filled with the same mischievous spirit once at that age. It was an age where the world was very big and it was just a big playground. War had not tainted him and the idea of changing the world was such a far away concept. At that age, he was young, his mother and father were still around and the family that had taken him in had accepted him and loved him just the same. He smiled and got up from the chair picking up Aomame and put her over his shoulders. Her eyes lit up in amazement, the color of her eyes had changed to a surprising red (the color of the sharingan, blood of the fallen tainting all that look upon them with black that cast people into dreams Keiro had thought in the deepest of his mind) and open her mouth as if to laugh. She couldn’t giggle but there was a soft noise that emitted from her and that could’ve been considered a laugh.

“This is your first time to ever see fireworks.” He stated. He pointed at the sky and two more fireworks bursts into a mix color of orange, yellow and red. She saw three streams rising into the sky, all of them crossing into one another like synchronizing dancers. As they reach the peak of height, the three became one and exploded all at once forming the image of a dragon. It was very animated, toon-like even as the tongue of the dragon snaked outward and ‘slithered’ as it faded away. Keiro was impressed with that one. It had been years since he’s seen a firework display, probably the last one was when he was seventeen. That time wasn’t as impressive he thought but he had to consider the month it was when the fireworks occur. He had to say they had improved in the matter of artwork when it came to it but rarely did it faze him because he had seen it before. For Aomame, it was the first time she ever seen it. Some spectacle it was for her as little lights rising into the sky just explode into colors that were similar to the changing colors of her eyes. She looked in awe, her mouth a bit agape as the fireworks continue.

How long has it been since I had my father put me on his shoulder as I look at a festival? The memory wasn’t painful, not this one. It was the fall festival, the color of fall all prominent as the leaf village had prepared all year for this event. The color of red and orange lamps hung around the shops and the merchandizing that was being sold was adapting to that time. The smells of harvest apples filled in Keiro’s nose with the taste of cider touching his lips as he was sharing a cup with his father. He wanted a big cup of cider because he felt he could drink it all but of course his mother would not permit it. The boy would be up all night and may pee in his bed she had said. He was sitting on top of his father shoulder as they moved through the crowds. He felt so tall up here with his father holding onto his short legs. He was two years old, still too young to remember everything about it but the sight of the fireworks had a heavy impression on him. Something that explodes into light and emitting colors he had only seen with his colored pencils and crayons. It wasn’t a painful memory, perhaps it wasn’t meant to be painful because of the girl that was on his shoulder was experiencing the same euphoria he did all those years ago.

He turned back and saw Alina in a fuzzy white robe. Her hair was in a towel, water dripping from whatever locks of hair that wasn’t covered. Her feet tapped on the concrete floor, her arms folded with her face twisted into an inpatient glower. “Uh oh, someone is in trouble.” He said and raised a hand to poke Aomame. She let out one of those sounds that could be her laugh.

“Just bring her in when this is all done. I want to wash her up before I put her to sleep. No girl of this age is going to up all night.” She steps on back into the lobby passing the girl Aomame thought of as weird. Keiro’s attention went to her as well but Keiro didn’t receive the same vibe as Aomame did. She just looked a bit lonely just sitting there looking out. She was young, no use of him not admitting to that that was small in size but tall. He could tell just by looking at her legs that went on for days. She had to be-what, seventeen at best? She had the appearance of a person who was transitioning between childhood and adulthood just like the young man he met in that ramen shop.

Those eyes…it was the eyes that also caught his attention. Of all the eyes he had seen from Zurui, the construction C.E.O. the guards, the Mafioso leader in Amegakure, and the man in the bar, Uriko’s eyes and the young man he got to know as Rail, her eyes seem very distant. A wanderer like he was at one point who was trying to find something to fill in the gaps. Young and lost, just like many men and women who come to age. He smiled, charmingly as he always does when he tries to converse to a new person and waves at her. “Come on out and enjoy the fireworks.”

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Lost. In the mists of the subconscious valley that would be Miu. Conflicted between the calming drift and raging rapids. Shaping her. She didn't change her direction of view, but she could spot it. No, her. Look! Look! That girl knows suffering. It's obvious to me you goodie-goodie, her thoughts portrayed such an innocent looking girl. Miu mental shook her head, facing herself. No. She looks like an average girl. She couldn't possibly, she tried to end the conflict only to be struck again. Fool, looks aren't everything. I exist within such a polite and elegant young lady sch as yourself. A proper and well raised. Miu was defeated by herself. But she refused the ideal that there was something wrong with that girl. She could feel the uninvited eyes upon her. She wanted to look back, demand what the girl was looking at. She settles for pulled at her dress and running her hand through her hair. She heard the voice. A yell. She tilted her head and seen a women emerge from, what would've probably been the hallway to her room. She wasnt' exactly dressed, and Miu's guess was that she had recently exited a shower or bath. You know what would be funny? If you removed her bathrobe, she told herself, getting a faint chuckle from it.

She could see the girl was perplexed perhaps, no, curious and intrigued by the fireworks. Miu wouldn't object. Perhaps she was quite young and never expeienced them before, or, like Miu, enjoyed the dazzling display of lights against the dark background of the sky. She thought about standing up and going back outside, but decided she would ponder the thought of something to eat. The thought really got to her and she couldn't help but imagine what food she could recive here. But she decided to wait. It was getting late anyway, and she'd sleep all too soon. Miu snapped back to the reality not because of the noise the fireworks created, but a soft noise she didn't recognise. She coukdn't figure out where it came from, but the girl had already went outside. Oh, she must've went outside, Miu thought.

Miu couldn't exactly tell what was being spoken of, but it looked as if the women in the bathrobe was telling the man who was holding the girl something. She could tell it was going to happen before she was told. If you want to know so badly, go out there, the voice wavered in her mind, clenching deep and clawing at her. No! I think they might be a family, Miu thought, deciding it was probably best not to go out there. You are never getting any fun, she was told by her increasingly insufferable alter-ego. Politely remove your head from your rear, she thought back, recieving some applause from that voice. She glanced back outside and noticed the man looking at her. And when he spoke, she looked down.

And thus began a mental debate. Another damnable conflict to plague her mind. Brutal was the fighting she displayed against her foe, but tired was how she grew. She gave up and she rose her head with a mch more gloomy and violent stare about her. She smiled sinisterly, standing up and she spoke with a raspy, yet seductive voice. "Sure." She walked, with a leg sliding in front of the other, like she was using force to do it. When she reached the door she had more to say, and said it freely. "I'll enjoy far more than just the fireworks.", Miu said, looking slightly depressed and troubled as she stood.

Posts : 760

There it was again, that girl conscious took hold of the madness that ensued within the child. Her eyes filled in with radiant colors of green and a change to white. Pain is it…find the use of pain…redemption cannot be solved…I am the cure…the world is a cruel place…she did not just hear this from the girl, she heard it from everywhere. The people that were walking and talking, laughing and awing had all of these thoughts roaming in their heads. Hadn’t she been able to cut out the voices long ago? She had remembered that the madness would’ve ensued her if she had let the voices roam in her mind at a constant; the scientist with their constant babble of equations and theory meaning nothing in her mind. Her eyes turned from her and focused back to the fireworks that she was still engaged from. It wasn’t the same however after looking at that…what was the word she was trying to describe? She did not know, could not know what it is for she knew little and understand only so much.

Keiro looked at the young woman. A voice of sultry disinterest with a suggestive hint of sinister intent and yet seeing this young woman walk towards him made him analyze her but in a way much differently than Aomame. He understood the meaning behind a walk, the attitude of the walk, the slowness or the quickness of it all. Was her walk like that of a normal person, one that seems to know that time is money and one cannot waste such time to waste money? No, she did not have the walk of one who handled money nor did she have the walk or look of one who has done manual work. All scenarios went in his head, all possibilities came to mind but there was only a few that stood out in his head. The idea that this young woman was a shinobi was far on his list of expectations but it was the mild walk, the heaviness behind it. The look of uncertainty, one look that Keiro was all too familiar, stood in her eyes as blatant as one stands out in a crowd of men.

“The fireworks are lovely this year, eh?” He points out the sky. Was he talking to the girl or was he talking to the young woman. “One may wonder what they celebrate this year. Is it the time of harvest, a time where the food is plentiful and a time when hope and freedom is among the few things that have spawn within these times of peace. Perhaps it is a joyous bringing the time of many wars that have not occur. For the yellows and oranges of the firework do not symbolize the explosions of destructive technology or the red that symbolizes blood of fallen men…perhaps it means that the harvest is done, the time for people to raise their flags as the time of prosperity is upon them.”

“Or let’s forget that little tidbit of peace and look at the future. Perhaps this little festival here is nothing more than a sign, a calling for all those who adore the simple anarchy of life can come together. How odd for those who are anarchists wanting to join together as most of them are free spirits?” He nipped the bottom of his lip lightly then with his thumb began to stroke it thoughtfully as if he was trying to answer his own question “If those who seek war, those who seek ideology, those who seek wealth, those who seek chaos, those who seek knowledge, shouldn’t all of them combine together because they have one common goal? To seek…?”

He turned to the young woman. His eyes were a black void filled with the emptiness of both space and time. What eyes had fallen on this man? Would she believe that his eyes were once a blue that surpassed all hues of blue? One that use to spawn the ideas and thoughts of lust into the minds of both men and women? Would the woman believe that he had fallen asleep one night and had a dream of meeting two men who spoke out of regular conversation and woke up to eyes of the void?

He lifted Aomame off from his shoulders and set her down on the ground. She looked up but followed his eyes as he got down on one knee and pats her head “I’m going to go to the store now. The food should be coming to the inn in a few minutes so I don’t want you to snack on the donut ok?” she nodded obediently. Keiro kissed the top of her forehead and tell her to run along. She did so as she ran down the lobby and making a sharp turn towards the room. Keiro got up “A child that once had no hope in the world now finding it. I’ve only been with her for a few days but the life within that child is something I mean to protect.”

He makes a slight bow “I’m Hei. You may call me that or if you’re one of those formal types you may call me Shikyo-san. I do not care whether it is the former or latter.” He begins to walk into the crowd “I hope you don’t mind me knowing who you are eh?”

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Kill. Kill kill kill! You never want to do that. Too goody-goody and nice. Not exactly fun loving though, miss Miu Kimura, the voice spoke to her, antagonising her to no end. Her plots to block worked to no avail. She was letting the poison seep and melt her idealism slowly but surely. Something bad would happen and she would not be blamed when she snapped. But yet, that same voice beckoned, making it a trouble to focus. Distingush between reality and fantasy. It sickened her that she faltered so badly. An falling from what she was. Without a clue why. A familar tune hummed within her mind, something about believing in magic maybe? She couldn't tell. Little did she know that outside her own little world, she was tapping her foot and smiling in a jolly good mood.

The voice mocked his. Not elegant or sweet. Kind of depressed, like she repeated exactly what she said to find some ulterior motive. Like she needed entertainment in her life. "The fireworks are lovely this year, eh.", she spoke. She leaned against the inn's outer wall and was slouched. She listened less-than-intently to how he spoke and moreso, his assets. Oh. Oh! Now you're interested in something oter than being into that damnable gothic lolita style of clothing. You smug, sly and sick little bitch, she was told by herself. Brushing it off completely and getting back on topic of what he was saying. She found it interesting to entertain, playfully swat her paws at the ideas and words he spit upon her. Somewhere deep in her stomach, words boiled and begged to be removed with the bile.

Her answer? It filtered around, weaved and dodged. Zigged and zagged through the crevices and shallow depths of her mind. A maelstorm of terror and anarchy encaged these words and ideals she wanted to return. And like a game, used a crane to pick which one. She watched as her 'other self' attempt and fail at the game several plays. She couldn't do it, and eventually Miu went over, mentally, and placed her hand into the machine, drawing out the perfect thought. Perhaps a great one. Many actually. "I have my answer. To what people seek.", she stated quietly, assuming a much more happy and cheerful demeanor, even speaking lightly and slightly higher pitched.

"Well, I would like to say that people want pleasure. A form of entertainment. A way to find excitement in life. It isn't long. Not in a world where everything you've built, where that fortress of pillows, no matter how safe you feel, will only crumble. There is no such thing as a realty and that is what people seek.", she stated, slouching once again and staring with half of her attention on him. Her voice became raspy and seductive again and she carried onwards. "Reality is simply a false thing. Something people need to assure they are correct. Like a rebel against a government. Or a culture against a culture. Strife and trouble are a poison the world needs.", she stated, without a clue if she went completely off of the topic.

"Oh, and Hei, you may call upon me as Asami.", she stated. Nice choice on using my suggestion. Wanna use the next one aswell, she thougth to herself. "Asami the Black Raven. And the pleasure can be all yours.", she said, chasing after him.

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“A sound answer.” Keiro said, and it was too compared to the other answers he probably would’ve gotten if he had asked any patron in the street. Her voices had oozed like honey in his ear. She was young and she confirmed it with that damn voice she does. Young and crazy, two mixtures that makes for one hell of a crazy cocktail. Her words had some almost insane meaning, words that could only be conjured through random thoughts…or someone in her head that was speaking and she was just voicing out the combination of the sane and the insane. Oh how pleasant, Keiro had thought, do all the women I meet have to be like this? He couldn’t see how that is because he thought he could at least not pull in all the crazies. Ah but then Zurui’s voice spoke again saying “You’re a magnet Keiro. People will come to you and there is nothing you can do about it.” He smiled at that as she look back to see her stride towards him.

She walked beside him, close that was not bursting his bubble but not far for him to have to speak out. A teacher-student distance his father would say as it was never too far and never too close. She got into ear distance “It isn’t that reality doesn’t exist rather the constructs of the existence we live in brings forth hard truths into the world. These hard truths can only be known to us, and be comprehended as, reality.”

Keiro had turned his eyes to a mother and child sitting down on the bench. He discretely points to a child who was sitting on a bench with his father. He had to be no older than three, if not younger as he held close to his mother in hand who was stroking his hair. His eyes were fading, the world of dreams was upon him and he knew this to be so. His hand gripped the small teddy bear as his eyes simply fade and the darkness over took him. “That child’s ‘reality’ is limited to that of his parents and the little events around him. He will not remember the time he will have here because the mind of the very young is extremely fragile and memory cannot be constructed. It is when that child gets older is when memory will begin to form and stay as concrete images.” He points to the mother “That mother’s ‘reality’ sole revolves around the child and wishes to implement her ‘reality’ onto him so that he may one day. But what is that mother’s reality? Is she a leader, one that helps the people and her followers that would go and follow her into battle? Would she be a follower, one who does not think for herself and only let those around her does her thinking? Is her ‘reality’ true? Is the one that will lead people to that boy when he gets older? Will be rebel and go on the offensive to free those who are captured the physical opposition that oppresses him>? Will it be the slave complexity following the orders of those who oppress him and he would repeat the process? These are things that ensue in the tangles of the construct known as reality. I must cordially disagree that reality is more so real than you and I walking among the crowd here. It is as real as when I took that child up upon my shoulders and know that this is the first time she had ever seen fireworks in a festival.”

His voice had turned philosophical, if that was even possible for one to say. The words he spoke sounded wise but it can make one question whether he was spouting words of truth or complete and utter bullshit. Either way, Keiro continued as he moved his way through people. Even with him constantly moving his words were able to reach the young woman as if they were sitting down and having this conversation. “Who are we to say that reality is false? It isn’t that it is false but that the lies constructed into the web, we consider ‘that’ as reality. The lies that incorporate into men’s minds and hearts that makes them believe the dual relationship of illusion and reality. We would question, if we were normal, whether we are living in a lie. Perhaps we once were but soon left that little pen of lies and enter into the open fields of truth. Those who live in the pen would say that the open fields are actually the lie and the pen is the truth. How would they know if they never stepped out of the pen? It’s almost a foolish thing to say.”

He stops by an street light that was hanging over them. He looks up and spots the tiny flies that followed the luminescence of that light in a dance they could not help themselves in. “Men are sheep. Whoever it was that said was true and men have a tendency of wanting to be shepherd by. A pathetic truth…more so pathetic then knowing that there are men out there that get themselves off with tentacle porn.” He felt a cold shiver run down his spine. It reached down and then went back up. Every single nerve in his body felt as if it was dipped in ice cold water than shocked into hot then back into cold. He snickered “How in the hell did I get into a conversation about reality? I haven’t spoken like this since my time in Amegakure.”

He turned and faced this “Asami” character. He didn’t know if that was her real name but frankly he didn’t care to know it. She could name herself the queen of swamp country and it would have given the same effect. “You’re a shinobi. A frail one at best.” He said this in a very matter-of-fact tone, not to insult her but to know that it was the general fact “I can tell by the frame of your body you’re no specialist in the arts of the fist. I can assume you’re that that works with either ninjutsu, genjutsu or fuuinjutsu yes?”

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Miu smiled sweetly. But of course her thoughts were always in vain. As she blinked she spoke. "Are we measured in our face value? Does it matter if I am a shinobi? Would a woeful tale weaved only by despair and darkness even cross your mind when you think about someone like me? Do you think that this, women, could possibly pass for even a shinobi?", she ranted. It was a possible rant anyway, without a point. She looked onwards and continued. "No, of course you do. But only another shinobi could pick out another shinobi.", she ended before placing her hands behind her back and seemingly becoming neutral. "Is it a misunderstanding that people are consistently involved with the misfortunes and actions of those who bring the shadows of darkness and claws of despair, manage to avoid their pain? Is there some twisted fate that bends good to sway into the darkness, forever to swim against the current?", she stated, wishing that she would cry. But no tear would fall from her face. She stood still, pondering the man before her.

"I must say, that my name is not Asami. I can assume you already questioned that. No, I am Miu Kimura, Nukenin from Konohagakure no Sato.", she stated, tipping her head and smiling. "I greet you warmly, and may I say, I compliment your guess about me using Fuuinjtsu. It was... accurate.", she replied to him. She couldn't help but admire him. He payed such close attention, more than she did. Scary. She murmored something under her breath and thought. Perhaps he can give us purpose. Give us life. Pleasure, the voice spoke, like a liquid. It was swift and soft, utterly enticing to follow it's advice. But she would not give so freely. Nor follow so blindly, even for someone she felt so... attached to. Love at first sight for her. Disgusting, the voice rang throughout her body, giving her a feeling... like she was numb.

"But there's not much to me that one can't assume already. A somber tale I will not share. I would rather, and adore not to speak of it ever again. Perhaps an exception may be made in the future, perhaps. But now is not the hour.", she spoke softly, unsure of herself and the man she was with. Was it strange to her that she followed him without hesitation? Without a second thought? Would he be like that young man from the Rice Field Country? She didn't once question these things. She fully trusted him. Unknowingly of course. Foolishly accepting to come with him. For what? To stare upon him and weep mentally. To remember the past as a Konohagakure Shinobi. The failure her sensei felt when he died with her beside him? The fear she was taken by when he died? When she had to defeat and kill her former allies? When she had to abandon all that she knew, she had become broken. Split between survival and love. This is now, what she was.

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It was a guess but no more educated than finding out whether today was going to be sunny or cloudy. He watched her talk, looking at the actions of her arms and hands. They displayed little for him to examine, nothing but neutral gestures that didn’t open up any particular attribute that could possibly form a relative opinion on her. She learned that there are other people, people like Keiro, who could read the thin lines that creates the person. He didn’t read her all the way, she wasn’t just any particular small fry shinobi but one who tried to blend in rather than stand out. From being on her own, she developed the right mechanisms to defend from those who may suspect of her of being an easy target. What an admiring thing to have. She was the opposite of the young man who looked, dressed and acts like a shinobi. He didn’t hide much from the obvious saying to the world that he was a shinobi. He was going to like this young woman if things develop well in the next few minutes.

She let her guard down but not because he forced her to but because she knew that going around with the ranting wouldn’t necessarily solve anything but-well going around in a circle. She gave her real name, Kimura Miu, who was a shinobi from Konoha. He felt the need to say that he should’ve recognized her and quite frankly he didn’t. He didn’t want to seem impolite to say “Oh I’m from Konoha too. How interesting!” without at least putting a face to the name. He thought for what seem to be a long stretch of time but couldn’t put the face to her. In honesty, she had to be at least seventeen and by the time he was arrested she was probably ten or eleven years old. It would’ve matter even if he did know the name. She didn’t know him otherwise she would’ve saw past the fake name and realize then that his name was Keiro.

Does it matter, the voice in his spoke? He hadn’t heard that voice in awhile. He didn’t exactly welcome it but it did bring him comfort if only for a short, tiny fraction of a second. He answered back saying that it didn’t matter. Of course none of it matters if she didn’t know him and vice versa. They were now just a young woman and a young man, a criminal and an exile. Though, how she became a criminal…it would not be answered-for now at the very least. She had said a bit too much whether she knew so or not. She had trusted Keiro as one who is an ally rather than an enemy. Both Keiro and Uriko couldn’t even look at each other without one reading the other. That was like a tug-of-war not of powers but of psychology. Who was going to budge just a little before one has to make the full move? It was clear that it was him but he enjoyed the standoff nonetheless.

He took a glance around and saw a bench just a couple of feet away from them. He walked over and sat beneath a street lamp that illuminated that little area. He looks up and sees the small gnats that were hypnotized by the lamp’s yellowish light. The cover of the lamp hadn’t been replace for maybe a decade giving the once clear cover a gaunt yellow tinge. He leaned back and stretch his arms on the back of the bench with his head leaned back looking up at the night sky. The fireworks had stopped only a few minutes ago. There was no moon tonight and with the combining light that hovered over the area he couldn’t spot the smoke that was moving along with the currents.

“We criminals never like to tell about our past. We can never trust the next person we meet. It might be because that same person you talk to may want to stab you in the back the next time you blink or wants to drown you in your own toilet in which you just took a piss in. Oddly, we criminals are hard in trusting and very hard for others to trust us. Can you even trust me now as I speak to you so frankly? For all I know, I may want to take advantage of you, both body and mind and use you for my own.” He twirl his hand in a circle “Let’s flip it and say that you may want to use me for your own pleasures. Could I trust you if I told you something about me? Could you use that little tidbit of information so that in the future if something presents a plausible weakness to my stature would you strike at it?”

He shrugs “The world of a criminal is not always a dark one. I never view it as such because all things, all life goes into both the light of the world and the dark one. A criminal just sees a bit more of the night than anyone else because their entire lives are just hidden and out of view. And over time, many shinobi lose focus and begin to wander aimlessly. Many folks are lost and without purpose because sometimes it’s hard to find what it is exactly they want to do and how do they succeed in that role. The shinobi, a majority of it at least, have been taught to fulfill a role within the village. Within this village you will gain the community one could not easily obtain in the outside world. This little network brings comfort to men knowing that if they fulfill a role, some sort of purpose than they will be accepted into this small community.” He raised one finger “It is that of many reasons villages such as Konohgakure and Kumogakure succeed well. They find that people will follow as long as there is that single element of purpose. You fulfill that role and you’ll gain solitude amongst the people.”

Keiro points to himself, poking into his chest. “We, on the other hand, cannot fulfill a purpose because we have no cause, no reason to do so. Shinobi of the village and the villagers do it for many reasons. Some may do it for war, others do it for wealth, others do it for fame…while others do just do it to fucking do it. Perhaps that is what we, as criminals, need to do. Perhaps that is what we, as a expanding community should have…purpose.”

“What do you think Miu?”

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Miu simply waved her arm up, staring at it. She was defining how to be bored at this point. "Moronic. There's nothing special about being in a village. A purpose... however one may feel is needed, can only be a source of suffering to someone. A purpose, when designated by others, it can shield one from the reality of everyone's opinion. It blinds them. Effective and efficient slaves.", she spoke, rather taken by the boring situation she was in. She looked to her foe in this debate of the mind. "But really, can one truely define a right or wrong purpose in this world. Is it not we, the people, who should have the real power to decide these things? To be individuals and select our own leaders? For equality and justice to be served upon those who truely deserve it.", she stated, firm and stubborn.

She raised her other hand, lowering the other and shifting her head to look at it. She sounded more raspy and seemed to slouch. "On this sweet other hand of course, we, the people are the only true pain the world knows. We force it to suffer through our wars, the turmoil and strife. Delicious death that torments it's very children.", she said, eyes widening and she spoke. "I want to see them break. Without hope. I have my wants. But I never have my needs. I know I seek a purpose. To validate myself. I suppose it would be pointless for me to contradict myself here, but I would certainly take advantage of you. After I let you have me.", she said, turning her gaze upon him with a gloomy and yet, excited smile.

She raised both her hands, turning her gaze back upon to her right. Her voice was soft and concerned once again. "I would gladly think. Debate against violence and crime....", he gaze shifted to the left as her voice altered as well. "... but I want to see them broken like a child's toy.", she stated. Both her arms dropped and she turned her now neutral eyes upon him. "After all, there're two shades to every story, isn't there?", she spoke, her voice slightly distorting between soft and kind, or raspy and depressed. She cackled madly and sighed, slumped down to sit on the ground and settle for crying.