The Rocky Road {P,NK,}

It was a slightly overcast morning and a cool light mist lay over the land. The mist caused the morning sun to stream through in small shafts that lightly illuminated the rocky path that Ukita now walked. He had just finished a ten mile run through the mountains, which he counted as a light work out. Although he was now on a nice cool down walk through the mist to a favorite spot of his. After a short while of walking Ukita arrived at the spot he was looking for: a cliff side. The cliff overlooked a small river that ran far below, but that was not why Ukita was here.

About two meters back from the sheer cliff side there was a circular slab of grey stone; perfectly smooth and flat on top. These properties made for the perfect place to sit, which was exactly what Ukita did. He walked up the slab got to the center of it and sat down cross legged. The slab itself had a radius of about a meter, so Ukita fit comfortably on it. He had with him all his usual gear. The samurai armor clasped comfortably around his body with his sword laid in front of him. Though Ukita had no use for these items he figured it was always good to have them on hand.

With a slightly hunched back Ukita starred out at the landscape before him. It seemed almost surreal. The light filtered through the light mist and highlighted the landscape before him. Filled with a profound feeling of peace Ukita closed his eyes and started to meditate. When he meditated he did not do any of that useless humming. Instead he merely allowed his mind to flow freely from one idea to the next. It was a great way to relax and get in touch with oneself.

The first few ideas that crossed Ukita's mind were foolishness. At one point he seriously considered simply leaving the village of Kumogakure and never coming back. What point was there in staying? There was nothing here. Saver for his grandfather, but he would not be here forever. All people died. It was sad fact that Ukita now pondered: the reaper comes for us all-some sooner than others. How odd it was to ponder death far above a river that ran slowly like some weaving snake that moved ever onward. Trying to shake himself from his grim reflections Ukita's eyes shot open and were markedly different. They now had three tomes and a pool of red in them: the three tomed sharingan.

The only way Ukita knew how to clear his mind was training. It was training that allowed Ukita to move on from these rather dark thoughts and to more simple ones, like getting stronger. Getting up from his sitting position he grabbed his sword and hung it at his left, so it could be easily quickdrawn if need be. With a solemn look on his face Uikta turned on a dime and stepped down from the stone slab and over to a nearby tree. Sighing naught, but once his right hand dropped down to the hilt of his blade. And then after a mental countdown from three Ukita began.

Movement after movement was made: the quick draw of a steel blade. In a matter of a minute there were about ten slashes in the tree's strong trunk. the blade itself was not what was making the incredible marks in the tree. It was also the strength that was behind each artful slash. The slashes got deeper and deeper as the day wore on. Some may see this as a useless exercise, but Ukita found it deeply calming. Perhaps it was the repetitive motion or the alacrity of mind that the motion brought-quite honestly Ukita had no clue, but he continued until at last he had finished off one hundred strikes.

Sheathing his sword once again he admired his work. There was a nice uniform slash in the trunk about three inches deep-rather impressive and he had not even used the power of the eight gates. Maybe some day soon he would no longer need the eight gates as a crutch. He was already fairly strong and could easily make a few craters in the ground without giving a second thought, but then again that always hurt his hands and that was never good. Maybe he would have to get some gloves, so he could properly smash craters in the ground. Then again that was another fleeting and childish thought that seemed to plague Ukita's mind now and again.

Returning to the cliff side Ukita looked down the cliff with a rather careful sense as if a wind were about to blow him off the cliff, which of course was madness, but maybe Ukita was a bit mad? Who was to know. All that really captivated Ukita's mind was the river far below. Shrugging to himself he made his way down the cliff side with liberal use of the tree walking technique to scale the sheer cliff with relative ease-it would have been a real pain in the ass to have to climb down. Reaching the bottom of the cliff Ukita bounded across the water ad to the lush grass that carpeted the far side of the river. In another burst of childish ambition he removed his sword and took off his armor-today would be a good day for a swim before he really started his training. After all the run he had done earlier was only a precursor to the real event that was a true marathon of training. Or rather Ukita thought it would be.

Pulling off his shirt Ukita walked over to the side of the river and looked down. The river did not move as fast as it seemed from a top the cliff. in fact, it was almost calm. It had a strong enough current to keep sentiment from building up on the bottom. To further this idyllic scene the mist from before was still cradled over the water and came of in small ghost like wisps that made it seem like the water was hot when in fact it was nice and cool. Taking a tentative step into the water he felt a cool chill run up and down his body. It was a nice feeling-unfamiliar even, but welcome.

Takign another slow step he slipped into the chilled water. It was quite relaxing. In fact, he could feel the stress start to roll off his shoulders or maybe it was the small waves that hit him, but either way it felt pleasant. Heading out to the middle of the river Ukita found that it went right up to his chest, which was a nice surprise as he could just stand in the slow moving water as he pondered what the day would hold. He had already done some intense training, but more still had to be done. Hopefully he would be able to get a good chunk of training in. Though it was a shame that he had no one to really train with. At this point the mist set in a bit heavier and Ukita found that he could not see the shore-it would not be hard to find his way back, but it seemed to compound his feeling of being alone, which was calming above all else.

Although Ukita's acute ears quickly picked up a sound. It was the sound of someone or something entering the river. Instantly on guard Ukita's eyes scanned the misty water. Reluctantly giving up as he found nothing he contiued to soak in the cool water until he heard a splash again. This time Ukita activated his sharingan that he had turned off upon entering the water and scanned the area. Luckily the mist was not created by a jutsu or he would not have been able to make head nor tails of the surroundings. In an instant Ukita zeroed in on a form not too far away in the same water he was in. Flicking off his sharingan as they would be little help now Ukita moved silently through to the water towards where he saw the chakra signature.

At last Ukita arrived to where he could just see the person. They had their back to Ukita, so he was a bit unsure of who they were. He was very alert, because it could very well be a missing ninja. On his guard Ukita moved slowly up behind the figure until he was within arms reach of who ever it was. Reaching his right hand out towards the shoulder was the last thing Ukita was doing when the figure flipped around-fist leading and sent Ukita right out of the water and onto land. Naturally this punch knocked him out cold.

While unconscious Ukita kept seeing a singing tiger and a dancing bear with a kage hat on-how odd. Regardless Ukita slowly came to and when he first awoke he was pretty sure eh was dreaming. Right before his eyes and leaning over his body was a girl who looked to be about his age with moon white skin and long brown hair with green eyes. And to top it all off she had a towel wrapped around her, which did little to cover the curves of her body. In fact her breasts were practically falling out of the towel. Entranced Ukita was a bit surprised when the girl slapped his face with a powerful hand and spoke in a rather sweet musical voice: "Are you, ok? I thought you were someone else I am so so so sorry." Rather confused Ukita sat up and found himself chest to chest with the girl. The girl blushing quickly moved back and disappeared with one assurance: "I am going to get dressed do not go anywhere!"

Rather confused Ukita was glad he was still wearing pants. Luckily his armor and such were all right next to him. With a confused sigh he quickly got dressed himself and put his long hair in a long pony tail of sorts-some say it looked odd to see Ukita with a pony tail, but he liked it. It was part of the samurai tradition or so he was told. Either way he was quickly dressed in full armor with his sword hanging where it was prior to entering the water. Looking around Ukita was surprised to see almost a spitting image of himself walking towards him. The girl wore the same armor Ukita did, but with a more feminine shape. She even had her hair in a pony tail-was she a samurai. With a rather quizzical look the two swordsmen approached each other and just looked at each other with an eye for detail.

Without a word the girl's right hand dropped to her sword hilt. And right in step with her movement Ukita moved his had to his own sword hilt. Then at the same instance the two quick drew at each other with incredible speed. The two swords clashed at the midpoint between the two samurai. Neither one had anymore leverage than the other. Though, then again, neither were using all their strength. It was merely a test of speed and both deemed the other worth. Ukita was the first to resheathe his blade and introduce himself: "My name is Ukita Hideyasu. And if I may ask who are you? It is not often that I meet such a loevly samurai as yourself." Waiting fro a response Ukita noticed how her armor fit her perfectly on each curve-it was a true masters work, probably custom made for her. Though ukita did not know anyone who would have made such a armor-he had been told all the great armor makers were long dead.

Ukita did not have to wait long as the pretty girl with angelic features spoke up in a sweet soft spoken voice: "My name is Akira Uchiha." Ukita was visibly taken a back. How could she be an Uchiha. Her eyes were green. Akira saw the confusion and went on to explain to the bewildered Ukita: "My mother was an Uchiha and my father was not I have his green eyes and her sharingan." To prove that point she flipped on her blood red eyes-also a three tome. Feeling a bit odd Ukita answered an unspoken challenge and blinked once, thus activating his sharingan. Both of them merely looked at each with a look of utter surprise it would seem they have more in common than they thought go figure.

Finally Ukita spoke up in a rather odd voice that seemed to exdue confidence: "So, are you up for a bit of training? It is clear that you are very skilled in the way of the sword. We are both Uchiha. Honestly we could learn from each other if not teach each other a thing or two." Letting that question hang in the air Ukita waited patiently for a reply. The girl seemed a bit reluctant at first, but she quickly came around to it as she now spoke with a fairly fluent voice that moved like water through a brook: "It would be an honor to train with you, but allow me to warn you. I am no push over and we will be training for a long long time. In fact, first off we have to start with a bit of meditation." Ukita knew he had already such, but did not feel like saying so. Both shinobi went over to the river and sat on its bank cross legged next to each. And they resigned themselves to peace as they closed their eyes.

Instantly Ukita's mind was in turmoil. So, much for mediating-it was not help in the least. His mind was raging with too many questions like how the girl has such armor and seemed to fight in the same style that Ukita used. It was uncanny. He was pretty sure that only his grandfather knew that style as it was one he had developed. Was there something he was not being told? Ukita did not have a clue all he knew was that he would get to the bottom of it one way or another. Hopefully it was another. After a half an hour of meditation and constant internal question Ukita opened his eyes and found that Akira had done the same-odd....very odd.

Regardless the girl now talked. It seemed she would be running this training session-for now anyway. The small feminine voice pierced the cool air once again setting the next training task: "Next we will have to work our way up to a spar, so we will have to do some workouts. Lets hop to it." The girl was instantly on the ground doing a few quick push ups. Following suite Ukita pumped out push up after push up until at last he decided to break the silence. In between Push ups he spoke: "So, why...are you...out here...anyway?" The girl answered in the same broken speech as Ukita had used as they were both nearing one hundred and fifty push ups in three minutes: "Well I was....Trying to....take a nice.... bath in the...river before...I got to.....train a bit....I assume...that is...why you are...here, no?" At this point both the samurai switched over to the next work out sit ups. Sits ups made it rather hard to talk seeing as when wearing armor it was hard enough to do a sit up and talking would only compound that difficulty. So, both smarurai did sit ups in peace.

Despite this peace Ukita's mind was still in turmoil. Though he had some suspicions he could not be too sure until he fought with the girl. If she had the same exact fighting style then more questions had to be asked, but it would seem that answers were still a far ways off for Ukita. Though he knew they would come, but it would seem waiting would be the name of the game that day. Akira finished off her sit ups right after Ukita did at this ppoint they were both a bit winded, but Akiria showed no signs of slowling down in fact it seemed that next task was a long distance run as she took off down the river bank. Luckily the ground was mostly flat and would allow for easy running. Although that also meant one had to run faster and faster. Ukita found that he could keep pace with Akiria rather easily, but that was probably due to his longer legs.

Not wanting to be too rude Ukita pushed conversation once again this time a bit more directly: "So, who is it you train with? I have heard of natural talent, but yours has been honed-you must have a very good teacher." The girl smiled before she talked though her stride seemed to be effecting her fluent voice a bit it still flowed gently through he air: "I have one of the best masters around. My grandma. She was once a great samurai warrior believe it or not. Granted she hid her gender, but she is without a doubt one of the strongest swordsmen or rather woman out there. That is who I learn from. How about you? Your style and conditioning are superb." Ukita kept note of what she said, but responded all the same: "My mentor and teacher is my grandfather. How odd that we should both have so much in common." At last the two arrived at a dead end. It seemed that the river had its source here, but it also led to a sheer rock wall.

Normally a giant rock wall in the way would be a bad thing, but it was just an annoyance for the two ninja. It was merely a small hurtle. In a heartbeat the two started to climb as fast as possible. Akiria won the race to the top due to her flexibility that Uktia lacked being a guy and all that good stuff. Neither had used the tree walking technique, thus it was rather tiring. Perhaps by chance or maybe design they both arrived at the top and chose to take a break. Sweat dripped from both their brows like a water fall.. Some may call it disgusting and other may call it life-they called it training. The plateu they had climbed on to was bare there was not one tree in sight only large rock structures. It was at this point that ukita decided to take the lead. Wiping off his brow he spoke up: "Ok, follow me. its my turn to show you some real training." It was a bit of witty banter, but it got a smile from Akiria all the same.

Walking slowly over to a smaller rock structure Ukita pulled back his fist and smashed it into the rock. A small crater appeared in it. With a smirk he drew back his other fist and continued to punch and punch until at long last the rock fell into a pile of rubble with a childish grin on his face He was surprised to see that Akiria had done the same thing, but with a larger rock. A bit disgruntled Ukita moved to a bigger rock and did the same thing again and gain in a battle of one ups man ship. It was truly an epic duel. Rocks flew everywhere at once and once large structures were demolished in a matter of a minute or less. It was like having two bulldozers smashing rock with their bare fists. Finally both of the fell over tired as hell it would seem a break was in order.

They both took shelter in the shade of one of the lager structures that they had not destroyed. Grabbing some cloth Ukita wrapped his knuckles up, so they would not become infected. Having bleeding knuckles was no fun, but Ukita was pleased as he had won the rock smashing contest. Both young samurai looked at each other with a sigh and leaned against the rock breathing heavily. Though they were both tired as hell the training was still not done after all it was not even lunch time. This would be one of the few breaks they would get, so they relished it. There was little room for talk. The heavy breathing assured that. It was at this point that the sun was once again covered by clouds as it often was in Kumogakure. It made the scene a bit glum, but Ukita kinda liked it. It was better than having the blazing sun overhead, so he decided to take what he could get.

Breaking the pattern of breathing the girl spoke up ina fatigued voice: "Are you ready for our first spar? It will be done without armor or weapons. It will only be hand to hand and nothing else. This allows us both to get some skill at the most basic forms of taijutsu that make up the way of the samurai." Ukita merely nodded and detached his sword and started pulling off his armor. Akiria did the same and they both stood about three meters from each other in very sloppy stances-the work they had done thus far had taken its toll for sure. Both held their fist in front of them and started to circle each other like a pair of tigers in the woods. However, in this case it was a pair of shinobi in a rocky wasteland. Both of them quickly activated their sharingan and then the true fight began. It would be played like a shogi game. Each one could track the others movements: one wrong move and it was over.

Not wanting to lollygag around Ukita made the first move and what a first move it was. Her merely walked straight towards Akiria with his fists up. And then once she came within striking distance he threw his fist up right towards her right shoulder, but at the same time he brought his leg up for a kick to the stomach. Akiria was able to dodge both by skirting to the left and outflanking Ukita much to his surprise and chagrin. Akiri did not waste her adavantage in fact she pressed it aggressively. Now on the right flank of Ukita she struck out for his exposed knee cap with her foot-if it ht it would cripple Ukita for quite a while, which was something he could allow. So, instead Ukita merely stepped to one side, so that her foot would sail right in between his legs. It was at that point that he would move his legs togeater and trap her leg. He would go to make the breaking move, but stopped short. He merely wanted to show he could break her foot if he wanted. He then quickly released her. Turning around He was startled to find her back on her feet and throwing punch right at his face. Turning his face Ukita took the hit on his check-it did not hurt too much instead it stung. Though it was clear that this spar was over-Ukita had won the battle, but Akiria had won the after battle.

The two samurai still had much to do, so once again they donned their gear and walked slowly over to a foresty area that bordered the wasteland. Ukita was not sure why they were going over here, but he did not mind the change. Having huge monolithic sculptures was getting a bit old and kinda creepy as they almost all looked like faces somehow. The two did not talk til they reached the tree line at which point the girl spoke up again in a rather inquisitiveness voice: "So, you are pretty good at taijutsu, but good are you exactly? Whats your limit? I have yet to even use my full power as of yet, which is something you should thank me for." The girl accented the last part by sticking out her tongue in a rather playful manner that made her seem even cuter than she already was. Although her words were anything, but cute as in Ukita's mind they amounted to the fact that she was holding back-then again so was he, but he would not tell her that. As he had no need to reveal to her the power of the eight gates-yet at least.

Laughing a bit Ukita tried to play off her words as just that: words and responding a rather elusive manner: "OH, ya never know. It may be, but then again it may not be. A good warrior never reveals his secrets, ya know?" The girl put on a pouty face and walked onward to the grove of trees. After another minute of walking the two figures made it over to the trees. Ukita took a seat in a small grass patch while Akiria leaned up against a tree and fell down into a sitting position. It was time for another break or at least Ukita thought so anyway, but the girl, Akiria, took out a odd game board. It took Ukita a second or two to notice that it was a shogi game board. He had seen his grandfather use this many a time though Ukita himself had never had any real want to play until a cute girl wanted to play with him that is.

And so the two armored played a silent game of shogi. There was no need to talk. They allowed their pieces to do the talking for them. Much like a physical battle this mental one was just as, if not more, intense the one they had had naught, but a short while ago. After about half an hour the game came to an end with Ukita losing. Trying to shrug it off he challenged Akiria to another battle. however, this time they would use swords and neither one would hold back-it would be the last little bit of their training session that day and hopefully it would be a blast. Both samurai stood up from their game and walked to the edge of the treeline where the shade still spread out and the landscape was still littered with small rocks and some spots of gravel. It would make for a perfect battleground.

Ukita and Akiria then stood exactly three meters from each other and turned around so that their backs were to each other. Then all at once it began each duelist turned on a tee with their sword hands on their swords and then they drew in an elegant arc and a slight ring that resonated as the two opponents started to circle each other try to find a opening. Both had their blood red eye active searching for that brief moment in time when a foot would be placed in the wrong spot or an eye turned the wrong way. It was now a game of waiting. And wait they did for about two minutes they circled like animals waiting for their prey to weaken.

At last the battle truly began when Ukita made the first move. Naturally Ukita favored a one handed stance as it allowed for quicker striking and allowed for an open hand. Although it was not nearly as sturdy as the two handed stance that Akiria seemed to favor. Thus, Ukita knew he had to add a little umpf behind his attack and the eight gates would do just that for him-if not more. Thus, just before impacting Akiria's sword Ukita opened up to the fifth gate, which was his current limit. Naturally Akiria had very little time to react, so the force of the impact sent her sprawling backwards a good distance away. The only thing that Ukita did not expect was Akiria having such a fast spring back time it was almost like she had opened the eight gates as well. Unbeknownst to Ukita it was in fact the eight gates-they both possessed the same unique power. How odd.

Regardless the fight went on the two samurai exchanged power filled blows that seemed to shake the very ground to its core. At one point the two swords impacted and stayed locked for about thirty seconds. In this thirty seconds The two fighters locked eyes-they were equal in strength. Ukita felt he had to have more strength in him-there were more gates right? He had to get there...he needed to get there. All that was needed was that extra power to tip the currently balanced scale of power. He knew the gate was there somewhere he just had to get to it and push it open and feel the massive surge of power run through him. It seemed that Ukita had been thinking too much as Akiria saw and opening and managed to send the very tip of her sword across Ukita's face. It was a very shallow cut, but it still stung and brought Ukita back to reality.

With a new determination Ukita fought back his advantage and once again they reached a deadlock. They both pushed with all their might until at last something clicked in Ukita's body and he felt effortless power run through him: it was an amazing feeling. Slowly, but surely he started to push Akiria back until at last she hit a tree trunk. It was here that they both knew the duel was over. Thus, both of them lowered their sowrds and shook hands without a word, but then Akiria declared they would race back to the village. With a sigh Ukita obliged and they shot off towards the village. Both them still had the eight gates open, which made them all the faster. Like two bolts of lightning they were gone and clearing ground at speeds double their normal ones-it felt amazing to feel the bluster of the wind on his face. Ukita half wondered why he did not do this more often, but then remembered his grandfather's word: "Do not use this power for frivolous things such as petty battles and races." Rationalizing it to himself Ukita assured himself that he was training and nothing else.

In matter of minutes the two shinobi were back at the village. It was at the village gates that the two stopped and deactivated their eight gates. Ukita could readily feel the power drain out of him like someone had pulled the plug. The two armored comrades looked each in that awkward way that a girl and a boy often did especially at this age. At first neither of them said a thing, but the came the even more awkward part where both them started to speak, which promoted them to stop once again. Both of them have a light bit of color in their checks now they mere said simple goodbyes without any of those weird feelings. Akiria went one way while Ukita walked another-it was nice to be alone once again. Though at the same time Ukita hoped that he would see Akiria again maybe soon.

For now though he had needed time for a cool down walk-using the eight gates for so long had left him rather tired and he did not really want to have his grandfather asking where he had been all day. Walking down the well kept streets of Kumogakure Ukita made his way to one of his favorite places for dinner. It was a new place, which was odd in Kumogakure, but Ukita liked it none the less as it was a great way to cool down from a long hard day of training. The restaurant was simply called "Al's" after the man who owned it. It served one of the most godly foods in all the land or at least Ukita thought it did. It was a delicacy called a hamburger.

Thus, once Ukita had arrived at Al's he was pleased to discover that there was no real line to get in as there normally was. Able to get a seat in fairly short order Ukita took a seat at on a bar stool at a bar. He then ordered a plain double hamburger. And as he waited he sipped a grape soda that had been brought to him. It was nice here there was a vague music playing the background-something about popping tags, but Ukita did not really care for it that much. So, instead he looked across at the mirror that sat on the other side of the bar. He looked like a mess. His hair was a askew and the cut he got on his face was now dried shut with blood. He mentally reminded himself that next time he should really avoid getting hit-it was irksome. Plus in a real fight it could get him killed, which was something Ukita did not really want to have happen.

Luckily these rather grim thoughts were dispelled when his dinner arrived. Food always seemed to clear Ukita's mind better than most things, so he chowed down on as much food as he could as fast as he could much to the chagrin of the wait staff he went through plate upon plate of food leaving each one more and more messy. Finally after five helpings of dinner Ukita paid and went on his way. At this point it was dark and he figured he should be on his way home. Wanting to see the sights of the city at night Ukita took the long way home.

As he walked he looked up to the sky and saw an odd sight-he actually saw stars. Often times in Kumogakure the clouds covered the sky and precluded one from seeing the sky, but on top of that Ukita did not often look to the sky. It made him feel small like he was only another life form on the planet. Normally Ukita did not like that feeling, but oddly enough it was rather comforting. Maybe it was because he knew that despite the world being so big he knew he was not alone and that in and of itself was the greatest comfort that Ukita could feel. All his life he had been disconnected from the world; scorned by his parents and peers and only truly loved by his grandfather.

It was then that Ukita rounded the last twilight lit corner on to his own street. All the memories that lined this street came to Ukita as he walked slowly down it. He had grown up on these streets they had been his home and always would be his home. Reaching the last house on the block Ukita turned into the familiar house where he lived much of his youth and now adolescence: this was his Grandfather's home and more importantly his home. Pushing open the sliding door Ukita stepped soundlessly into the house through use of his silent steps technique-go figure being a shinobi did indeed come in hand at times.

Clsoing the door behind him Uktia continued to move silently past his grandfather's room who by the snoring Ukita assumed to be asleep. With a smile on his face he crept into his room and began to undress. First his sword and weapons were removed and then he went to remove his armor. As he did he felt the entire day of working out hit him. He had not noticed it before, but his whole body ached. It hurt more than it ever had in any of the training sessions Ukita had had with his grandfather. Ignoring it he slumped down into bed. He could wash the dirt and blood off his body in the morning before his grandfather woke up. However, for now, Ukita needed sleep. His body hurt and even his brain hurt-maybe due to too much think he was not sure, but he did not like it in the least. So, for now he figured sleep would be the best cure for his apparent aliments.

{WC: 6008, +30 stats, +60 JP and unlocked sixth gate.}

Finally done. bump.

Denied for To many words

Approved