When I Was Younger We All Used To Get Along! [Money]

Age : 34 Posts : 1209

Rushing forward the young chuunin could feel his body beginning to ache in pain. His eyes narrowed as his site honed in on their target, a lone "traveler" who had gotten into a conflict with one of the village guards which resulted in the guard's death. Sanjiro had witnessed this act, being on guard duty and had instinctively given chase in an attempt to apprehend this criminal, if such an act could be done. From this distance, about 12 meters between Sanjiro and the criminal, the chuunin could make out the figure clearly. The man was not much older than Sanjiro and possessed a lithe form that allowed him to move both quickly and gracefully. A small grunt of frustration emerged from the young boy's throat as he reached his left hand back and under his jacket, pulling out several shuriken. He launched them forward in hopes of trying to hit the criminal's calves in an attempt to slow the man down. As if the man had predicted this move he turned his head just in time to witness the movement, only to quickly turn around, whipping out his right arm in the process to level a strange looking contraption attached to his arm in Sanjiro's direction. Suddenly several senbon were fired from the device, each senbon aimed perfectly at the projectiles the chuunin had launched. Metal clanged lightly against metal as the projectiles from both parties fell to the ground. Sanjiro came to a skidding stop as he noticed, with the aid of his special vision, that one such senbon was still rushing toward his body. Luckily the young ninja managed to tilt his head to the side just in time to avoid a direct hit, yet the needle scratched his cheek, leaving a sizable gash across the boy's face as he glared at the enemy with his crimson hues.

The criminal had also stopped running, now staring down the young chuunin. For whatever reason the criminal seemed satisfied with the situation, no longer feeling the need to run. Sanjiro took his chance to quickly advance upon his opponent, his hand flying up toward the hilt of his blade as he rushed forward with an amazing and almost incomprehensible speed that left the criminal awestruck as he barely managed to bring up his left hand in time to intercept the incoming blade. The sound of the impact echoed across and around the bridge as the two stood in a dead lock, Sanjiro bearing down on his opponent, using both hands to help provide himself extra leverage while the lithe criminal grunted as he slowly lost ground to the chuunin, his left arm bending to the blade's will. Sanjiro glared at the masked man, only able to see his dark green eyes peeking out from beneath the cloth that covered his face. The next sound that Sanjiro heard was a strange one as whatever the man had managed to block Sanjiro's attack with began to move and churn beneath the man's sleeve. Suddenly a blade erupted from the man's wrist and in an instant Sanjiro saw the man's right arm moving to point the strange senbon launcher in the chuunin's direction. Sanjiro quickly disengaged, pushing backwards as his eyes narrowed, focusing on the man and his strange devices. Several senbon were sent in Sanjiro's direction, forcing the young boy to swing his sword in several quick movements that would serve to deflect the incoming projectiles as he was forced backwards.

The criminal didn't let up though, taking advantage of Sanjiro's back-pedaling, he moved forward thrusting the wrist mounted blade forward in an attempt to gut the young chuunin. Sanjiro, whom barely had enough time to react quickly pivoted to the side, feeling the bite of the man's blade as it slashed his side. The attack however, left the criminal wide open for a counter. This was something that Sanjiro was quick to take advantage of despite his now blurring vision. Sanjiro brought his blade down on the man's right shoulder, the blade cutting cleanly through both flesh a bone, a testament to Sanjiro's swordsmanship, cleaving the arm in its entirety. The man howled in pain but did not let the pain dissuade him from paying Sanjiro back two fold by quickly bringing his wrist mounted blade around, thrusting it forward into Sanjiro's chest. Sanjiro, whom for some reason felt his body becoming sluggish began to ponder as to why he hadn't been able to dodge such a simple and sloppy attack. The wound to his pride felt greater than the wound to his chest and even as he dropped his blade to the ground, staring blankly at the man before him he could only wonder. How? Why? It didn't take him long to realize though as he felt a strange heat radiating through his body, a heat that should, for all intensive purposes, be cooling.

"Poison? Your weapons....poisoned?"

"You figured it out, eh? Too little too late, perhaps if you had been smarter you'd have lived to see another day."

The words stung as Sanjiro felt his breathing starting to become rapid. He was feeling so very weak and woozy as blood rushed for the newly created exit, soaking his dark blue shirt in a brilliant crimson. Sanjiro felt like he couldn't breath yet his arms move up instinctively, his hands wrapping tightly around the forearm of the man before him. The criminal's eyes widened as Sanjiro suddenly began to step backwards, pulling the criminal with him. As it stood both were weak from blood loss due to the quick exchange of fatal blows. The criminal grunted in agony and frustration as he felt his body being pulled with Sanjiro's as the boy backed himself toward the edge of the 3 meter wide bridge, his back now pressed to the waist high railing.

"Perhaps if you were smarter you'd have lived to see another day as well, my friend."

"Let me go you damn bastard! I won't die like you!"

The man cried out in anger as he tried to pull his arm away, the blade however remained firmly embedded in Sanjiro's chest and his grip was like a vice, despite his near death state. Sanjiro chuckled between labored breaths and weak coughs. As their bodies wrestled slightly he noticed the sound of metal hitting the ground next to him. A quick glance toward the ground revealed a bloody headband at his feet, his own headband.

"As good of a memento as any I suppose..."

With that Sanjiro closed his eyes and quickly brought his body backwards, letting his upper body bend backwards as he pulled his injured opponent close, almost in an embrace as they both tumbled backwards over the railing, falling downward as Sanjiro stared dumbly at the sky in his daze, releasing the man while looking up at the sky...

SC:

Jutsu:

CP: 112/115

Age : 37 Posts : 2201

Kirima had been seated in one of the comfortable chairs at the library, waiting to see if her friend Sanjiro had work that day. It was always nice to visit the library, and she had learned how to get used to the quiet and calmed atmosphere in there. But after waiting for what seemed to be forever, the girl had become restless. She didn't want to ask Sanjiro's boss if he was working or not, so after sneaking around in the library and checking out every corner and every hallway; Kirima came to the conclusion that Sanjiro wasn't anywhere around. Maybe he's on a mission? She remembered still their talk, him saying how difficult it was to keep going and keep living. How he used the library to "hide" from society. So maybe he has managed to move a bit on? I hope so. She walked out of the library, took one last glance around, and then closed the door and walked away. A long stroll was all she could come up with for now, so she walked further into the village, until she suddenly found her at the other side. Almost at the borders. Not many people were around, and those few whom she had seen hadn't paid much attention to her anyways. But suddenly she stopped. Straining her hearing and sniffing the air slightly. Something felt a bit.. odd. She had this feeling in her gut... an uncomfortable feeling. Which was why she kept walking, but more silently now, while her eyes scanned the surrounding area.

She hadn't walked far when she noticed the scent of blood in the air, and that was when her legs suddenly started moving faster. The girl was running, but skid to a halt with wide eyes as she came upon a body. The body of a guard who had been on duty. What the.. She looked quickly around, making sure there was no one going to sneak up on her, before Kirima knelt down and checked if there was a pulse. This is .. so unreal. Her first time seeing a corpse. And she was deadly calm, perhaps too calm, as she rose up again and looked for where the killer might be. It didn't take too long to see a trail leading away from there, and in a swift movement, she was following it. There should have been another guard on duty, as they hardly ever worked alone, so maybe he would need help. The trail lead towards the bridge, and even before she was in view of it; Kirima could hear metal clanging. A fight! So the guard had managed to slow down the criminal? Good! She ran even faster now, her strong legs making her fly over the ground while her arms were pumping at her sides. There would not be another death today, it was just wrong! Who would do this? Someone from another village? Or had a missing nin tried to get into the village but been compromised by the guards? She was in fairly good shape, so Kirima wasn't really tired as she stopped just as the bridge came into view. Her chest heaved and fell in a slow rhythm as she breathed through her nose, and was careful not to make too much noise. Until of course, she managed to view what was going on on that bridge. Didn't she recognize the young male? Sanjiro? She was still a bit far away, but could somewhat make out the appearance of him. And she could also make out the blood that was gathering at the feet of the men.

Shit! Her mouth had opened to yell out to him, but it was clamped shut just as fast. If I yell out I will distract him and maybe get him killed. So instead, she advanced closer while trying to stay as much out of sight as she could. She was now close enough to almost make out their words, but her entire body froze as she saw the blade go into Sanjiro's chest. No! By now, she didn't care if she was spotted. She literally sprinted from where she had been, and watched with horror as Sanjiro took a firm hold of the criminal's forearm before backing up against the railing and starting to bend over it. As if he intended to fall down and take the criminal with him into the death. Wait, that is exactly what he's going to do!

"Sanjiro!" The young female howled out as her feet carried her swiftly towards where they were about to fall over the railing, her heart slamming against her ribcage as the adrenalin swiftly pulsed through her body while she jumped and literally flew through the air before she landed harshly against the railing. The blunt force made her gasp out in pain and cough, but she had not stopped just there; for her arms had started reaching out before she had even gotten close enough. And now she held firmly onto the leg of Sanjiro; her muscles screaming in protest as she was pulled up even tighter against the railing while struggling to keep the boy from falling down. "What are you doing you idiot?!" She was screaming at him, but not in anger. Her voice kept breaking because she was scared. So scared over the fact that she might drop him. Or he would bleed out. A grunt escaped through her lips as she started pulling him upwards. Sweat gathered on her forehead and dripped down into her eyes. But she did not let go. It was a clear fact that the criminal was dead; but Sanjiro would be saved. No matter what.... Kirima simply refused to believe anything else. "Get ... up... here.." Her whole chest area would be bruised for weeks after this intimate relationship with the railing. Her muscles were screaming out and making her let out growls and groaning of pain as she was pulling Sanjiro up into safety. And with a loud scream, she pulled one more time with all of her strength. She fell backwards, landing on her back, and got Sanjiro's body on top of her. A second or two passed where she just lay there and breathed heavily before rolling Sanjiro onto his back and looking down at him. "Stay awake! This will be alright!" She took her leather jacket off and firmly placed it against the bleeding wound on his chest.

This can't be happening. I refuse... this must be a dream. A nightmare! Was this how things were supposed to be? Was she supposed to be looking at a friend die? She only had 2 friends, and the other she could hardly see anymore. "Sanjiro.." Her fingers stroked gently down his cheek as she tried to smile at him. Her eyes looked wildly over the gathering crowd, only noticing now that people had been attracted to all the noise. At first a single tear ran down her cheek; but before Kirima knew it there was already a whole waterfall streaming down her cheeks. Drops of tears landed on Sanjiro's face while she yelled out towards the people. "Don't just fucking stand there! Someone get a medical ninja!" Her whole body was trembling as she looked down into the pale face of Sanjiro again. "Hey, stay with me... please.." The last word was just a sob as she tried to swallow through the lump in her throat. She pressed her leather jacket more firmly against the bleeding wound on his chest, but Kirima could see that there was too much blood. Already she could feel the sticky, warm liquid form underneath her kneeling form. Her hands and arms were splattered with it from trying to stop the bleeding. Heck, at some point she had also been wiping at her face to get the tears away; and a small streak of Sanjiro's blood colored her smooth cheek.

Age : 34 Posts : 1209

A short fall it would seem, or so Sanjiro's mind thought as the feeling of vertigo from the drop ceased but not with the predicted impact he had been bracing himself for. Rather he seemed to have ceased all vertical movement and felt as though he were dangling. He then realized, though hazily, that he was not falling, but that someone had grabbed him moments after he had tumbled over the side. Someone was trying to save him. A sad smile crossed his face at this thought. He couldn't be saved at this point and no matter how much the other person wanted to keep him safe, he'd die. His body was already numb, his mind fuzzy and his spirit tired. He felt himself slowly being heaved upward until finally he was over the railing, landing with a sickening thud on whoever had pulled him from over the edge. He stared down at his temporary savior, Kirima, why did it have to be her? She wasn't supposed to see him like this. He couldn't move off of her despite feeling very embarrassed to be on top of her in this fashion. He suspected that if he had had the blood to spare that his cheeks would have gone red. Suddenly he was on the move again, being rolled gently onto his back as he stared up at Kirima's agitated affect. The girl spoke but only a few words truly registered in his exhausted mind. She wanted him to stay awake, but sleep sounded so nice right now. His eyes remained opened in a dazed expression, as though he were on the verge of drifting off into an afternoon slumber.

"Hey, stay with me... please.."

Sanjiro felt his heart break as she begged him to stay alive, to stay with her. He wished, truly, that he could have honored the request but sadly the hole in his chest and the poison in his veins wouldn't let him. He felt her hand move toward his cheek, her tears falling on his face. She was so far away yet he could feel her. There was no more pain, just sadness. Figures from his past flashed before his eyes, people whom he loved, people whom had been gone for so long. Would he see them again? He gritted his teeth as he used all his energy to lift one of his hands up, letting it move toward Kirima's face, his thumb moving to wipe some of the blood away.

"Don't cry...I think I finally found the peace I was looking for....I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for you...but you're strong...you didn't need me....you'll go on to be someone amazing....you'll make lots of friends..."

He sighed lightly as his eyes began to close slowly. He wondered what he could say to make her feel better, to comfort her in his last moments.

"Don't.....don't end up like me....be happy...I could never be happy with myself....but you can...so please don't let my death stain your spirit......I'm tired now....I'm going to go to sleep....thanks for being my friend....sorry about this."

With that his eyes finally closed completely, his breathing starting to slow down as his arm fell to his side. His expression wasn't pained as he lie there, the last of his life leaving his body. Soon he was no longer breathing and the bleeding slowed and eventually stopped, whether it was because his heart had stopped beating or that he no longer had enough blood to leak out of chest, it was hard to say. His body remained motionless on the stone bridge that lead toward his home village.

Sanjiro was dead.

[exit]

[will submit for eval after MsMoney's post]

Age : 37 Posts : 2201

The tears were falling free, no matter how many times Kirima was swiping furiously at her eyes. She knew he was dying, it didn't matter if she would scream for help. Nobody would arrive in time. Even if she had never before had anyone die in front of her; Kirima could almost hear the wings of Death as he was approaching. Sanjiro's beautifully dark eyes were starting to glaze over. His face deathly pale. There was so much blood.. The young female wondered if she could have somehow prevented this situation from rising. If she had perhaps not been waiting at the library? If she had went earlier to walk here and check on things? Of course she knew deep down that this wasn't her fault, but it's strange how the mind works when it's confronted by death.

"Don't cry...I think I finally found the peace I was looking for....I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for you...but you're strong...you didn't need me....you'll go on to be someone amazing....you'll make lots of friends..."

Peace, would he truly find peace now? Was there peace in things like death? Surely not for those who were left behind. "I did need you.. but.. if you think you've found.. p-peace .. then.. " Kirima choked on the words. She couldn't say this, but yet she knew she had to just smile now. Let him leave while she still smiled for him. And that was probably the hardest thing she would have to do. Her lips started to tremble, and her words were just a whisper, but there was a smile that was planted on her lips. Her eyes watching him in a gentle way. He is my friend. He is dying for honor, he was doing what he thought was right. "I will miss you Sanjiro, but I will keep fighting and doing my best. I'll get a lot of good friends and I'll honor your memory in that way." The redhead wasn't sure if he heard her anymore by now. His words kept coming out, but he kept fading. He apologized to her, but she didn't want him to apologize. She only wanted him to live.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you somehow. A precious friend of mine. I'm so sorry..." Slowly she bent down, kissing his cold cheek. Her tears kept flowing as she felt his life go. His eyes were closed, the breathing stopped. And she tilted her head backwards and screamed out. This sadness, this unbearable pain. Was this how it was on the battlefield when you were doing your duty as a ninja? When you had to watch your friends and partners die? Could she do it? Kirima felt someone touch her shoulder lightly, but she only took a firm hold on Sanjiro and hugged him tightly to her trembling body. "Don't.. take him. Don't.. take him away from me." Her clothes were soaked in Sanjiro's blood, but she didn't even notice. The medical ninja who had come along with more guards, watched with worry as the girl started crying even louder. Someone was trying to talk to her, but she ignored it. Hugging Sanjiro's lifeless body even tighter, like she was afraid of letting him go. She thought about when they had first met. How he had introduced her to books and made them actually seem interesting. How easy it had been to talk to him, eat ramen with him. He had been so sweet in his own quiet way. A genuinely nice person. How was it that this was happening? I had hoped to become a precious friend to you.. help you work out your things from the past. Maybe end up being a helpful teammate to you.

Seconds passed and turned into minutes, maybe there had even an hour passed. She wouldn't know. Someone took her gently by the arms, and lifted her up. And like she had no strength left anymore, she had let go of Sanjiro. A small stinging sensation at her upper arm made the girl look slowly to the side at the medical ninja. "What.." The woman smiled gently and supported Kirima as she started to feel dizzy and wobbly. "This will help you relax and sleep a little dear." I don't want to sleep.. She was being lead away from the body that was laying so alone on the bridge. Her eyes stared ahead, completely stripped of any emotions. Her mouth was slightly open and her skin probably just as pale as Sanjiro's. They were walking in the direction of the hospital, and Kirima wanted to laugh. She wasn't hurt, just ... shocked? Were they afraid she'd go mental? Her brain was slowly going more foggy and it felt like her head was filled with cotton. And a sweet sensation of a carefree attitude swept over her. Sweet sweet drugs.

[Exit]