Bants or Rants [p, Xyxer]

Kozurou came in from the sea as the storm washed over him. It couldn't make him more drenched than he already was, however, and he felt physically enlightened. Going home and drying off, he spotted what he thought was Wraith leaving some kind of missive on his nightstand. Hmm... going out to the monument in this weather? Either way, it was an order from his kage, so he put on a pleasantly weather-resistant jacket and headed back outside into the hurricane-force winds and biting rain. The wind wasn't so strong (yet) as to force him to use surface walking technique on the ground, but the noise of the rain made it difficult for him to hear much of anything (or see farther than a few meters in front of his face). 

Soon enough, though, he reached the kage monument. This weather was a good test for strengthening his body, but it wasn't enough. He'd probably head out to the sea soon to meditate and train himself again. Walking forward, he would await the appearance of his kage. Hopefully, Xyxer wouldn't be kept indoors by this somewhat powerful typhoon. It would be rather disappointing if Kozurou had come all this way for nothing.

[Since Kozai is claiming to have trained in the village storm since it washed over him, claiming his death if he doesn't edit within 48 hours. I've warned him about this and he still did it like a windowlicker; You don't have 50 stamina you die you fucking idiot. Feel free to dispute it if you feel otherwise]

[Blah blah posted this before I asked you in the skype chat etc. etc.

Also, edited.]

Silently stood the beast, crowned in the garments of those that once lived: A sensible, grey shirt spun from cotton covered his torso modestly, black leather pants that left enough room in the baggage area.. he wasn't his brother after all who seemed to adore extremely tight fitting clothing in that area, he also wore a jacket of tanned black leather with inlays along the surface that depicted a variety of tendrils, stretching all along the material to let their grasp be known. It was simple attire to remain warm, and it kept the male more in touch with his primal nature.. leather was what his kin of old would wear after all.. yet that was where peril laid for the Abysswalker; his attempt to replicate savage men in a modern world.

His head bowed under the weight of the mist, his gaze on the floor rather than the skies it once studied. Blood stained the ruins like the questions that had started to scurry through his mind after his interaction with a member in his council.. he'd opened his eyes to his raw attempt to translate the ferocity of his ancestors into the modern world.. the crudeness of it. What was the meaning of this transition? What superiority could it bring over a modern approach? The savagery of man was innate.. but if it was encouraged to fester, he'd be leading those he held disdain for. In order to release his own savage nature, Xyxer would have to die.

Whether he wanted to accept it or not, he had to understand that the Way of Old had to die with that era. The boundless cruelty he demonstrated, the feral animals he encouraged, the time of false peace from behind the storm walls.. these things had to come to an end, regardless of whether Hachibi was willing to help in that endeavor or not. A dog that lead the pack could still be nothing more than a mangy mutt, a sorrowful fact of the world they lived in. To begin his new expeditions, Xyxer had already informed the best shipwrights on the fishing island of the dimensions he'd like for his Flagship. A ship that he'd start to sail on frequently to see the outside world he'd long since forgotten. To remain locked away inside one dismal channel when a King was a travesty when he could have it all.

Wet footsteps emerged from behind himself to announce the arrival of Kozurou, a chuunin that was here to finally complete his ritual. Some rites were needed to allow people to truly feel accepted by those around them.. a testament to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to attaining a title. This was one of them.

The blue maned male turned his head to acknowledge the arrival of the boy, and assuming he knelt as was appropriate, he'd gesture for the boy to move towards his side with a simple arm movement. His vision returned to the earth before him, and the recently stained marble they'd be blessing today, "I apologise for the lateness of this event, but I've been rather wrapped up in handling the boy who won alongside you." The demon stated, waiting for the boy to move up towards him.

[Then you should have edited when you got the answer you X]

Kozurou walked toward his leader and dropped to one knee (he hadn't forgotten this time). However, there was a curious light in his eyes. The boy who had won beside him... Ren? What exactly had happened? Xyxer meant that Ren was dead, surely... which meant that he had less competition. But still, he was looking forward to fighting with Ren again. He'd had clashed with him a couple of times in the past, the blood games among them, but this was fine. With him out of the way, he could ascend higher. Perhaps he was letting his ambition get ahead of him...

He wondered what this was all about. Since the end of the recent blood games, from which he had been extracted, he had found scant time to train, though the time he did get was well spent. A body of power and flesh-and-blood was something that a human could take much farther than he or she realized. He'd thought about this enough, though. His own power wasn't what he was here for. Clearly, the Mizukage had something in mind for him, though he couldn't possibly fathom what it was. 

"I will respond at any time of day," he began. "What is it you require of me?"

[ngl my muse might be as dead as yours now]

In all fairness, Xyxer was a bit disappointed when Kozurou hadn't noted his sweet jacket. He thought it was rad himself, and all the ANBU gave him approving nods when he walked past.. perhaps it was simply due to their loyalty.. was this boy not loyal enough to 'mire his leather? He wasn't entirely sure himself, all he knew was that it was pretty fuckin' cool. Pulling on the hem of the jacket for a moment as the boy knelt, he'd speak while his own hand extended from his person, "Rise." Xyxer instructed, a weapon of great renown within Kirigakure coming into existence within his palm; the fanged sword that had cut down many, Tidebreaker.

Powerful gusts of wind would continue to torment them both as they crashed against their bodies periodically like the great waves of the sea.. yet it was doubtful either of them would lose their footing. After all, they both took great pride in keeping their bodies in top physical condition.. to be blown back by mother nature would simply be an insult to their time and dedication into their discipline.. their art.

Droplets of rain stormed across the entire village, an event that wasn't unnatural given their geological location, coating the entirety of it within it's glistening sheen. Yet, as the rain trickled down the length of Tidebreaker, it seemed to grant the blade an ethereal property within the moment.. it was in it's zone. Instead of simply dripping from the blade, the water itself seemed to add to the blade.. coagulating over the surface of the blade itself in order to enhance it's sharpness.

The demon nodded his head down towards Kozurou's hand as he spoke, "Cut your hand" Xyxer stated, offering the blade out towards him. Of course, Xyxer expected him to simply slide his hand along the blade because taking the sword of a swordsman was a rather dumb thing to do.. much akin to taking the hands and feet of a taijutsu user. He'd speak once more before the bleeding commenced, "Aim to drip the blood on the stained marble.. and tell me, what was it like to kill so many of your own?"

Was the kage trying to GET him to notice his rather odd jacket? Kozurou almost raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure why, but that tug seemed like an invitation to say something, an invitation that he didn't take. He personally didn't like that kind of apparel. Perhaps for Xyxer, who might benefit from the attention that it attracted, it held some value, but Kozurou desired no such thing. Approval from others was no great thing for him; with a few exceptions, he only needed the confidence within himself that he was doing what he did best. In fact, it was the disapproval of heaven and earth that empowered him and enable him to stay on the right path.

As he rose, the force of the wind battered his body... or at least, so it would seem to any normal person who somehow happened to be there at that time of night. However, after his most recent session of training, it meant virtually nothing to him. His body could now withstand forces much higher than it would be able to otherwise, so he was thankful of the breakthroughs in training that he had made while out on the islands. With a slight smile on his face, he acknowledged the kage's request with a nod.

Stretching forth his hand, he would slide the palm of his hand along the edge of the blade, as was expected of him. The wind whipped around as he removed his hand, throwing the blood from the gash all over the white marble. The downpour of rain quickly began to dilute it, washing it away as if heaven itself denied the existence of the ritual that he had apparently just performed. Still, they had both seen the shed blood, so what the rain eroded away was left indelibly in his mind.

"Kind of boring, actually. Most of them weren't that strong..." It was true, most of the people he'd fought in the blood games had been disappointments. Sure, Aryll had been there, and that other girl might have been entertaining to go up against, but he hadn't had the chance to find out. Still, he didn't hold a grudge against his leader for pulling him out. It was understandable that things might get a little same-y if Kozurou just slaughtered through most of the combatants. There was also the question of that other guy who had also been pulled out... he was someone the boy wanted to meet soon.

All in all, this had been a rather dull affair for Xyxer. His new style choice had been promptly ignored by the male, despite an even more stylish tug on the new garment. Not even a single comment on whether it looked good or bad, man, Xyxer started to think that this boy had not been in too many social situations.. which sort of made sense given his stale personality. Regardless, the man could take a hint on when a e s t h e t i c s weren't appreciated, so he wouldn't trouble the male with it any further.

With the blood splattering all over the marble, and the male's complete lack of desire to correct such a travesty, Xyxer got some insight into the mind of Kozurou - He was a bit of a cunt. He watched the blood patter this way and that all over the place, but he simply couldn't be bothered killing the male at this time. Maybe at a later date he'd truly shed blood for his village, much like Ren. "Congratulations, you've done the rite, I'm sure you're ecstatic about it." Xyxer stated rhetorically, not knowing any kind of rapport he could build with the male at this time. As such, unless he was interrupted, Xyxer would take his leave.

[Exit]

As Xyxer took his leave, Kozurou stood. He didn't quite understand the significance of the ritual, but that was fine. He'd done it, and his leader was satisfied. Really, did anything else matter? He stood and clenched his bleeding fist, the blood dripping out between his fingers. Well, that was that. Kozurou also headed home, to prepare for the next day's training.

[Exit]

Exits approved.