Memories of Old

The wind was making a hollow call as the star lit the night sky, the grass shin high and dancing in the moonlight. Time had not long past to Kenji since he had left his damned home, as he sat upon an old oak stump the sky above reminded him of home. Clinching the scabbard in his hand he remembered the stories he heard of the blade long since forgotten to Sunagakure's people, his brother Sake, discovered this blades history tracking it's forgotten home back to the deserts on the edges of the Land of Wind. His eyes grew distant as he gazed at the sword, the sword of his grandfather and the sword of a Sunagakure he was proud of. As he stared upon the weapon his mind drifted to the familiar place as though it was only a day passed, the memory was so clear to Kenji:

'It was a dry heat that day in Sunagakure as the sun peaked in the morning sky, Sake had spent all that night filling Kenji's head with the tales of this "legendary" sword. After hours of contemplation and knowing how much this blade would mean to Sake, Kenji decided the best gift he could give his brother on his day of promotion was this sword he desired so much. So with his plan in mind he decided to gather what he needed in order to make a journey to the outskirts of the Land of Wind, but how would he get out of the village with it being so tightly locked up. Kenji began walking the walls looking for anything that would aid him, the village was large and the walk was long, the sun climbed higher in the sky as time passed and like a heaven sent lit a small hole inside the wall. Kenji lifted his hands forming the seal Dog, gathering his chakra hoping to mold it into a controlled form. He then continued signing  the Boar seal, this time allowing his chakra to take the shape of the transformation he had intended to become in order to escape the village undetected. Finally his hands slid to their next seal allowing him to fully perform his technique, the Ram seal which caused a puff of white smoke to engulf Kenji leaving only a small sand beetle in his place. Using his new smaller form achieved by his jutsu, he climbed out the hole a proceeded to distance his self from the village hoping to get out of sight before retaking his actually form. After scurrying beyond a large sand dune Kenji released his jutsu collapsing to the ground panting, the strain on him at the time was hefty and unpleasant.'

This memory brought a smile to Kenji's face as he remained on his stump reminiscing of the times he had, looking up he continued to see the past he had been envisioning since he sat upon the stump.

'Kenji had been panting as he rose from the sand, it trickled from his body like fallen rain. He finally regaining some strength looked to the east seeing the tall plateau in the distance, his destination with in his sights. Marching through the desert sand he made his way farther, his destination seemed to move farther and farther away. The desert was always a game of stamina, determination and mental strength that could push one without ever giving in to the struggle. Time carried on and the sun disappeared leaving Kenji in the dark and cold of the desert outlands, but nothing was going to stop him as he continued to march east looking to the stars as a guide. The cold air began thickening as he shuffled through the sand, his breath a thick white cloud from the inner heat escaping into the atmosphere. His skin covered with sweat from the heat of the day now beginning to turn to frost frozen against the skin, heaven only knows the freezing pain he endured that night as he collapsed to the ground appearing defeated by the damned desert. Motionless he laid in the desert sand sinking little by little as the wind covered the boy, his body shutdown in order to preserve his life a natural reaction caused by the freezing temperatures. The night came to it's end as the sun cracked the horizon shining a warm glow across the vast desert, as it lay on Kenji's body his temperature began to rise and after a few hours his eyes opened. He was covered in moisture from his previous from sweat that had now thawed. He lifted his self on shaky legs looking out at the desert before him, a miracle stood tall before him the plateau which about half way up had a small opening sealed by a hardened clay stone. It was the tomb of the Sand Ninja who wielded the great sword, Kenji was weak but could not stop now the only thing making him keeping going was willpower alone now. He knew Sake would be thrilled to see the blade he had been dreaming of and what better way to accept the title Chunnin than a new blade to hold as stature. Kenji lifted his right arm placing the hand on a rock above his head, he grasped for a groove finding a small holding with his finger tips. Lifting his self he then gathered his remaining chakra into his finger tips and feet, allowing it to grasp the surface of the rock formation and aid his climb. Inch by inch he climbed until he was half way to the tomb he was seeking, it was at this time the rocks beneath his right limbs crumbled causing Kenji to slide quickly down the side. Panicking as he began loosing ground he forced chakra into his left hand, which was the only one with contact on the surface, of course in a panic his concentration was off cause the chakra to expel his body from the stone. He collapsed the sand scattered from impact, Kenji got to his feet and dusted his self off and then gathered chakra in his feet before starting to run as fast as he could up the rocky surface. His climb rate increased he quickly made it to the entrance of the tomb, where he sat and took a moment to rest and take in the accomplishment he had achieved. After taking a moment to rest his body, Kenji stood turning his attention to the tombs entrance. Placing his hand on the seal he flooded in chakra, an offering in order to allow passage in to the undisturbed home of the shinobi. The seal broke and a gust of sand blew from with in, the rock which had once closed off this place slid back allowing passage for Kenji. Stepping inside he could see the hollowed out tomb which strangely lit up with torches as the door way had opened, Kenji knew he had made quite a journey for his older brother and that it was nearing its end. Step by step he walked deeper into the tombe noticing the etchings on the wall, they were the story of this ninja who had been laid to rest here. Finally he reached the casket laying upon a pedastool to display in all its beauty, he then seen across from the coffin a long black scabbard laid upon the stone with the sword laying next to it. The blade shined in despite the cobwebs and dust from being abandon here in this place of solitude, as Kenji stared at this blade he didn't see Sake in the blade. No, Kenji saw his eyes, then the eyes of the man who wielded her in all her glory.'

Kenji spoke as he sat on his log the memory still playing in his head he knew the words he said that day as if it was still happening "Sorry my brother, I made this journey and this blade called to me." He remembered saying these very words as he began seeing the memory in his head.

'Kenji grasped the sword by the hilt and lifted it out in front of his face lightly blowing the dust from the magnificent blade. Seeing the craftsmanship brought a smile upon his face like never before, Kenji knew this blade was meant for him despite hoping to bring it to his brother. He then placed his empty hand on the scabbard lifting it only to wipe away the age, it was all preserved so well like not a day had passed since the time it was forged. Returning the blade to its scabbard he slid it into the fabric belt of his, a new loyal companion at his side Kenji made his climb down from the tomb. Homeward bound he headed knowing no one would believe his tale.'

Kenji's eyes opened as he stood from the stump the morning dew setting in as he looked across the long grass, then back at his sword he smiled grasping it firmly. Kenji spoke "My only heirloom of a forgotten Land" He slid it to it's position with in his fabric belt and stepped down from the stump and disappeared into the borderlands.

[1,539 Words - No Stats - Obtaining Sword:Kaze no Kiba

[Finished]

Approved.