A Flash of Lightning {P, IO, NK}

The storm clouds seemed to boil in the sky above Tengakure. One could almost feel the static that was building in the atmosphere. Soon lightning would streak from the sky in torrents accompanied by the howl of wind and pitter patter of rain. But, not yet. Right now it was the calm before the storm. It was in the calm that Shinji now ate his dinner. It was comprised of meatloaf, green beans, and potatoes. Naturally he also drank a nicely cooled orange soda. At this point he had already finished his meal and was sublimely sipping his soda. As he gazed out the window that sat behind his desk. He watched the swirling clouds as they danced in the skies. Each delicate wisp curled down and then curved back up into the giant roof that was the sky. It was truly a awe inspiring sight.

Then all at once a quick flash and a deep roll pierced through the sky-the storm had started. This would indeed be a violent one too, but Shinji cared not. The buildings of Tengakure were equipped with Lightning rods that would prevent any permanent damage to the city or negate it all together. Had there not been these rods then the city would have been lit up with destruction after even the smallest storm. It was undeniable that lightning was a powerful element that was not to be trifled with. As this thought crossed Shinji'd mind a thought occurred to him: maybe it was worthwhile to learn the lightning element.

This thought was only a seed, but it quickly grew. It grew with the storm. As the rain came Shinji's mind became hard set in learning how to wield the power of lightning. Of course the needed books would have to be found in the library, which was not somewhere Shinji really wanted to be seen going. Last time he had absconded to the library the elders had been on his ass about shirking his duties. Luckily since that time Shinji had come up with a rather ingenious way to escape undetected or relatively undetected. Thus, when anbu operative Cat entered the office to collect the dinner dishes Shinji apprised her of the plan. Naturally she was obliged to do as she was told. Though Shinji was pretty sure she liked masquerading as the Tenkage as she had unlimited access to anything she really wanted. Plus she got to order the other anbu operatives around, which was a liberty she was not normally afforded.

Thus, the plan was put into action. Cat was transformed into Shinji and Shinji into Cat. With that out of the way the slim form of Cat slipped out of the kage room and went down stairs to grab the needed books. This time Shinji had not plan to stay down in the library and learn all he could about lightning. After all it would probably be better to learn of lightning among the clouds themselves. What better place to learn the powerful element of lightning? In a heartbeat Shinji was down in the library that also acted as a basement for the kage building. Alas the old demented librarian was no where in sight, so Shinji quickly traveled through the seemingly endless corridors of books until he came upon three books he rather liked.

With a smirk on his face Shinji moved as fast as possible to make it up the roof before the storm passed. In heartbeat he was there. He no longer wore the guise of Cat he was once again Shinji. Throwing open the door to the roof Shinji was greeted by the flash of lightning. Luckily there was a small overhang before the roof was mere open to the sky. So, taking a seat next to the door Shinji buried himself in his books. Maybe he would be visited. Maybe he would not be, but all that was certain was that he could be found reading a book on the roof with his legs crossed and his brow furrowed. Though reading he would not stop his use of the mind's eye of kagura-he did not want to be ambushed by any angry elders.

{WC: 695}

Xyxer had been alone in his own little apartment for most of the month now. The event with his previous leader, Sameonna Hoshigaki, had shook his very foundations and quaked his beliefs. She only sought peace and power for Kirigakure.. but she was swatted out like a fly. Was that the grand scheme of things? In fact, he had even took a temporary leave from his duties as an ANBU captain, but that was understandable of course with everything that had transpired, in most cases, it could leave a person scarred beyond belief and on the path of revenge.. but revenge was not what he sought from Shinji, since he believed that man to be a friend, no matter how much he had wronged him in such a short period of time; although, Xyxer did feel as if he owed Shinji an equal amount of pain.. just to show him what it was like to lose somebody you was extremely close to. Perhaps.. he should change. Fighting was not the only way to win a fight, and perhaps that wasn't his strongest suit.. but that detail was irrelevant for now. He simply wanted to kill. He wanted to bring back the bloody age of Kirigakure, but within an entirely new village.. he wanted to change the name of Tengakure back to the most glorious village that ever lived, he wanted it to be Kirigakure No Sato.. He wanted to paint the streams and walls red with the blood of the innocent.. but were there any innocent in this village? There were sheep and lambs.. but no innocent. Although they were ignorant of the events that had transpired, it was because of them that they had happened.. they were the cause of Sameonna Hoshigaki's death.. a rather depressing village. Tengakure was a lot like Kirigakure.. but moreso on the torturing of the mind, or, at least that's what Xyxer believed at this point in time.

Licking his lips a little, Xyxer remained sat on a chair at the edge of his bedroom, staring outside of the window as bolts of lightning rode across the skies like gallant stallions bounding their way across a freshly trimmed meadow.. that was power. Was there any way that he could utilize such a power, and become a God?.. there were plenty of Gods ready to be forged from peasants, anybody could do it.. but it was about the motivation one had to become one, and at this point in time, Xyxer was filled to the brim with it. He needed to bring back his village. He needed to make sure Sameonna's death was not in vain. He needed to show that he was capable of leading a new age upon the lives of shinobi, whether for the better or worse.

With a slight shudder, Xyxer forced himself to stand up. It was time. Walking towards his broken mirror that covered an entire wall, Xyxer picked up one of the fragments and looked into it. Noticing the ill signs of health in the reflection, he frowned a little. His body changed with a mere thought, no longer looking tired or ill, it was quite pleasant really since he didn't feel either of them anyway. He took his time as he put on the apparel of ANBU; his cloak covering his body completely and his crocodile mask extending slightly to form a snout. His white hair was pushed upwards to make it spiky, hiding his appearance fairly easily considering how different it made him look.Shaking his head a little bit, he left his apartment like a leaf in the wind, efficiently making his way towards the Tenkage chambers without anybody being able to see him as he moved. Stopping only when he was at the entrance, he nodded once at the guards before he continued to walk in and simply continued upwards towards the chambers, but at a pace this time. He'd been out of the game for a while, and now he had a thirst for blood. It was practically a calling. Standing in front of the Tenkage Chambers, he did not bother for the pleasantries of knocking. Firstly though, he used Minds eye of the Kagura.. after all, he was an ANBU Captain, he had to be certain that the bloody fiends were doing their jobs, patrolling at the very least. That was when something rather weird happened.. there was a person in the chambers that did not have the signature of the Tenkage and was actually alone in there.. a possible thief?

Opening the door immediately, he casually walked in and looked at the ANBU that was in the form of the Tenkage. He did not let off any knowledge of knowing the ruse, instead he simply said, "Hello, Tenkage."

The intrepid anbu operative Cat was indeed pleased when Xyxer rudely entered her--er Shinji's office. She bore no ill will towards the anbu captain, but she did have a bit of a mischievous side to her. So, she decided to have a bit of fun. Imitating Shinji's sleepy voice to a tee Cat responded to Xyxer: "Are you really going to keep calling me Tenkage...its so..formal. Although I suppose it is good that you came here as I have a job for you. You know how there was a wind storm a few weeks ago? Well it turns out that one of the lightning rods was knocked out and we failed to notice it. So, now the task falls to you. We needs a shinobi of profound skill and valor to go replace the lightning rod in this storm or the building will fall into ruin. And that shinobi is you Xyxer. If you go up to the roof you should find all the needed materials. Good luck!" To accent these last words a flash of lightning flashed across the sky and illuminated the room in a eerily light for naught, but moment.

Cat's charade was by no means flawless. She was not expecting Xyxer to show up, so if Xyxer was vigilant he would probably be able to see the overturned anbu mask of Cat. She did not often take it off, but she felt that it was safe to do so due to her current guise and location. Hopefully it would be passed off as anbu mask that Shinji had been toying with, but that was rather unlikely. While all this occurred Shinji still sat on the roof with downcast eyes. He was deeply engrossed in the book that taught the skill of lightning. Though he did notice one thing with his mind's eye of the kagura-that there was a new chakra signature in the office below: Xyxer. Xyxer would not doubt be able to sense Shinji as only a sturdy roof separated them right now. In the back of his mind Shinji half wondered what would transpire below, but instead did not really give it a second thought. If Xyxer was a shinobi worth his salt then he would be able to see through the charade that Cat was playing and hopefully come looking for the real Shinji. Shinji could only assume Xyxer was looking for him: otherwise why would he go to the Tenkage's office? Though while waiting he continued to read more and more about the dangerous element that was lightning.

{Sorry for the meh post.}
{TWC: 1123}

Underneath his mask, Xyxer's lips curled upwards in the smirk of a feline. It appeared that the ever active Shinji Uzumaki had decided to forfeit his position of power to a subordinate. How interesting. Analysing the room with his ever keen eyes, and it was that point that he noticed a familiar mask.. the mask of somebody Shinji seemed very fond of. The mask of Operative Cat. Shinji always did have quite a sweet tooth for that girl, so there were a few possibilities: Shinji was getting hot and sweaty with Cat, or he was using Cat to get off from his duties.. the most likely was the latter. Bowing once she had finished her speech, Xyxer spoke once more, "As you'll have me do."

With that, Xyxer would stand back up from the bow and begin to leave the room, opening the door as he left and as he stepped out, he stopped for a moment before looking back in, speaking once more, "It's good to see that you're doing your duties to your full; perhaps one day you actually will become Tenkage, or maybe even a captain." and with that, he closed the door behind him with a mild feeling of accomplishment. He didn't know why, but there it was.. perhaps that was the feeling of being kind.. he didn't like it that much. Once more, he used his minds eye of the kagura to scan the area before noticing the oh so lively signature of Shinji.. right above him. It appeared that the Tenkage had given up on being too secretive.. Simply, Xyxer walked up to the roof and pushed the door open, exiting into the rather gritty scene where lightning streaked across the sky still.. it was quite frightening really, but Xyxer was still incapable of processing fear, both a fault and a pro of the shinobi that were hardened from Kirigakure. Turning his head simply to see Shinji, he'd shake his head a little as he closed the door behind himself, walking to the edge of the building as he stared downwards, allowing his toes to lean off into the seemingly endless drop to the ground. He spoke a little, having noticed that the Tenkage was.. reading. Perhaps for fun? He knew not. It didn't look like any book he had seen with women in, but hey.. always good to have an open mind.

"The mighty Shinji, forsaking his leadership in order to read a few measly books?"

Alas it seemed sweet Cat had been found out. She merely gave an odd feral smile to Xyxer as he left-the man was indeed perceptive. Though next time Cat knew she would have to step up her game, because if Xyxer was able to figure her out then the elders would be able to do so with ease-those old codgers were quick. She decided she would talk with Shinji about that-he always seemed to dote on her. Regardless she did not allow Xyxer's revelation to ruffle her feathers as she still had a job to do and she did not want to let down Shinji.

Meanwhile on the roof the real Shinji continued to read. Though he did sense with his mind's eye that Xyxer had ditched Cat and was now making his way up to the roof. If Shinji felt, so inclined he may have set up a small trap to test Xyxer for the hell of it, but he found that his books was much more interesting than the musings of trap setting, so he returned to it and waited for the inevitable entrance of Xyxer onto the roof.

When Xyxer finally made it to the roof Shinji pretended not to notice in the least and merely allowed to Xyxer to do as he wished. In fact, Shinji did not even look up from his book-he was at a part that depicted how to exactly channel the lightning chakra through ones body without frying oneself, which Shinji figured was fairly important. He only jerked his head up when he heard Xyxer talk. How odd it was that this man was dead to him naught, but a short while ago-weird forces were afoot, but Shinji knew not what they were; he had no idea how Xyxer had survived that encounter with the missing ninja, but Shinji was glad he did. It would be rather irksome to not have a anbu captain-the whole process of finding one was...troublesome to say the least.

As Xyxer spoke Shinji could not help, but internally shrug-he doubted Xyxer had much appreciation for books of any sort. Then again the books Shinji had with him were no ordinary books. In a lazy voice he now responded to Xyxer: "I see Cat's little ruse did little to fool you...You gonna jump? Let me tell you from experience that the view is overrated. And believe it or not these books are not measly in the least-they are old as hell and smell a wee bit like mold, but they are not measly. Here take a look at this one." Shinji did not really care that Xyxer's back was to him. Xyxer was an anbu and he should be able to catch what Shinji now threw at him: one of the books he had picked up from the library. It was titled "Thunderstruck" and it depicted how to go about using and learning the lightning element. The book was no lightweight and as Shinji threw it he was having second thoughts, but it was too late for that. The hefty book was slung at Xyxer. If he did not pay any attention to it then the book would surely hit him square in the back with a gentle thud. Once he had thrown the book Shinji glanced back down at his own book and continued reading, but left an open ear to Xyxer.

{TWC: 1697}

The atmosphere truly was sensational. Magnificent strokes of lightning were crashing everywhere as if they were being painted by a God in the very skies and the breeze gently caressed him back onto the roof, almost as if to prevent him from slipping or falling. Licking his lips a little, the only missing feature was a heavy downfall. If that was to occur.. he'd just be in simple ecstasy, hell, he might even drop onto the ground and begin flopping like a fish from sheer joy.

A word from the Tenkage had hinted that a book was about to be passed, but Xyxer truly did not want to take his eyes off from the sight.. he could become a person whom was possibly of making such extravagant events unfold. He simply cut out the middle man. Instead of turning, the back of Xyxer's head sprouted a dark, clawed hand that seemed to tear it's way out. In the center of the hand was a single eye, an amber iris surrounded the black, cat like pupil that stretched with a menacing glare. He used that hand to see the book on it's path towards him, and was able to use the hand to successfully clutch the rather weak book in his fingers on the new hand, avoiding the eye with his reflexes. He simply held his hand outwards in front of him and had the demonic arm twist until it moved in front of his body, dropping the book onto his hand before the arm appeared to be pulled back into his head, closing up as if nothing had occurred and there was no evidence or mark that would prove otherwise. Looking at the front cover, he noticed a zig zag going roughly 5 inches diaganolly. Looking at the words now, he frowned a little as he remembered that he was unable to read..

And then he lost his temporary amnesia and read the words, "A Tale of Thunder and Lightning" and underneath that in small print was, "Very, very frightening." which was also.. peculiar to say the least. Regardless, Xyxer opened the book and began to skim the pages, taking in what was being said as he began to speak, "So, you're interested in the powers of.. a thunder god?" A mild hint at his own ability, a rather egotistical move that truly cemented Xyxer's personality. It was however, very weird.. Xyxer had only had this thought today, and it now turned out that the Tenkage had been thinking the same thing for Viper knows how long. Perhaps he could read his mind.. that was unlikely, but it was a weird series of events that would most likely turn out prosperous for the two.

Shinji did not bat an eyelash in the least when a hand popped out of Xyxer's head. The world was filled with people who could blast lightning, breathe fire and shoot water, so how was growing a hand out of one's head that special? Not hearing much of a response from Xyxer, but taking Xyxer's silence, and the fact that he had not thrown the book away, to mean that he was interested Shinji continued speaking without faltering once: "Otherwise I suppose it is good that you came to find me now, because I suppose an apology is in order. I know it will not be worth much, but here it is all the same: I am sorry Sameonna had to end the way she did...I did not see any way around what I did. It would have to happen sooner or later. She was wanted by the leaf village.....And well I know it will probably not mean all that much, but I can get you your eye back. Granted it will not be your exact eye, but it will be a sharingan nonetheless. In fact, it is the twin to the eye that I possess." To prove his point Shinji's sharingan sprang to life in his right eye and he continued on: "If you want we can get the surgery under way right now. I am sure that book you now hold will be a great way to relax especially considering if you do transplant the eye then you would not have sight in it for a while and thus could not be on active duty. Naturally the choice is all yours, but either way I hope you can understand my actions to some extent, but I do not now nor ever expect complete forgiveness."

Subconsciously Shinji knew Xyxer would never forgive, but perhaps that was for the better. Either way with the last of his words Shinji got up and taking the two remaining books with him and made his way down from the roof and to the hospital room that was on the same floor as Shinji's office. Even if Xyxer did not wish to have the eye Shinji still hoped that he would follow, because both men had something to talk about Shinji needed a guard for the up coming kage summit and Xyxer just about fit the bill. Upon arriving in the small hospital room that doubled as a surgery and morgue for the anbu and Tenkage Shinji instructed a anbu with a Bear mask on to get the body ready. One way or another Shinji wanted to do something with the body: destroy it or make perperatiosn for more long term storage. Bodies could be very useful. Regardless of Xyxer following Shinji he would have these actions done.

{TWC: 2173}

Xyxer's eyes moved away from the book and continued to gaze down at the air that stood between him and the ground. A few thoughts were running through his head but they were disturbed by the words of Shinji. Tuning in half way through, he quickly deciphered the apology about Sameonnas death. That made Xyxer want to kill the man right there and then.. a surging feeling of rage coursed violently through his body. He was about to throw the thick book at the head of Shinji but he thought otherwise and simply opened his clutch on the book, allowing it to drop down through the air, the pages getting torn by the simple drag force and the pages scattered in the wind, mostly landing in rather dirty places. Turning his head as the man finished speaking, and he began to speak himself, his words poisoned with distaste, "I have gone through the procedure before, Shinji. Did my death result in you contracting amnesia?"

He begun following Shinji from the rooftops and down to wherever they were going. He did not look at the back of the man however, as that would open up too many thoughts that would make him into a missing shinobi, and he was too good for that.. for now, at least. Now in the hospital room, Xyxer casually looked around and noticed a body on the table.. it looked like it had been dead for quite a while.. why the fuck was it still here? His eyebrow raised quizzically, he begun wondering if his leader was a necrophiliac.. looking between Shinji and the body, he kept that question in his mind before he finally spoke, "Why has such an ordinary body been kept.. almost as if it was a memoir?" with those words, he continued to look around the rather bleak room. He wondered what interesting stuff went on in here and if the Tenkage had his own secret experiments to do with the dead people.. perhaps even the blending of DNA. He had heard of stuff like that happening back in Kirigakure No Sato under the rule of Suzaku, and he wouldn't put it past the Tenkage.. in all honesty, the two were surprisingly similar, the only difference being that Shinji did not want to use Xyxer to attain complete power in his own village. Well, for now that is..

[Sorry meh post]

Upon being asked about the body Shinji sighed a sleepy sigh. He then went on to explain about the body: "This is the late Messiah Uchiha. He dropped dead in my office of a an apparent heart attack. Rather odd, but I suppose it was alright in the end. As it turned out this boy had threatened shinobi of the Leaf. So, it was a win win at that point. Naturally being an Uchiha he has the sharingan, which has been stored." At this point the Bear masked anbu, who was also a medic, produced a small vial that contained the sharingan eye as Shinji continued to speak though he did not mention that the body of Sameonna was stored much the same way, but that place was kept secret, even from anbu. "The body was kept due to the fact that the DNA of the Uchiha allows for the deactivation of the sharingan, which is key unless you wish to keep it covered for the rest of your life. Now, if you please we can get on with this." At this point anbu operative Bear signaled for Xyxer to lay down. If Xyxer complied Bear would put him under anesthesia and begin the operation.

In the mean time Shinji would conitue to read his book about the lightning element. It was most intriguing it seemed that one could quite literally stop hearts with this element or potentially restart them-how interesting. Shinji would also place the last of the three books on the lightning element on Xyxer's bedside as he seemed to have lost the one Shinji threw at him-go figure. If Xyxer was indeed being operated on then Shinji would calmly wait by his bed reading until he awoke from the surgery.

{My post was even meh-er}

Lying down simply on a metal table that was provided, he shuddered a little. It wasn't exactly comfort, but there was nothing else in sight that would allow him to lie down except the floor. The dead body of course though was not too far away on another table and that was quite surprising. The anesthesia was beginning to slowly be inhaled, but it took a short while for it to actually kick in. Xyxer was far too interested in his surroundings for the effect to take plaaaaaaa-

And just like that, Xyxer was out cold from the drug, allowing the ANBU operative to do whatever was needed to his blue eye in order to give him the sharingan. He didn't think of anything while he was in this strange.. land, he just waited until he was awake, and that was not too long thankfully as he awoke with a slight jolt, the same annoying pain in his left eye as before. It sure was good to have sharingan.. Shivering a little as he slowly recovered from the effects of anesthesia, naturally though it took a while so Xyxer had a temporary lisp and poor coordination of his limbs. Attempting to slide smoothly off from the table, instead Xyxer simply rolled off and landed with a thud on the ground, groaning a little. Attempting to stand back up, Xyxer instead begun to tip forwards just as he was about to fully stand and went crashing head first into a wall before falling sideways into a medical cabinet that appeared to be fixed to the wall. Sliding down the side of that a little he just turned to look at Shinji before speaking, sounding much like a kid after they've been to the dentist, "Thwish Shwucks."