Festival Hidden in the Mist [Open]

Before the young shinobi across from her could formulate a reply to the lesson she had given him, the two figures who had been walking along the shore came into focus, within earshot of them now. She thought they would just wait until the other two passed by, but she was sorely mistaken for instead of letting them be, Kether called out to the duo. It seemed he had known one of them, the tall, blonde haired boy she noted as she turned her head to look in their direction. The person, Hayate according to Kether, had a peculier grin upon their visage, as if he were up to something tricky. His companion seemed to share the same kind of glint across her features, adding to Hikari’s suspicions. She remained quiet however, keeping her thoughts to herself in case they were just being regular, mischievous teenagers who were having fun messing with their friend.

Kether reached out, inquiring about the young man’s expression although he did not receive an answer, or at least not one she picked up on. Then the boy, Hayate, introduced the raven haired girl beside him, saying her name was Asami. Hikari took note of the reflective headgear around her neck, making sure to remember that the girl was at least of genin rank. The other two didn’t seem to have their Kiri headbands on, or perhaps they hadn’t received them yet and were still just academy students. It would make sense then why neither of them had very high chakra signatures. Although of course it could also just mean they’ve been suppressing their chakra and not wearing their village headbands, however, she felt the former options was more probable than the latter.

The silvery haired shinobi then gave a slight bow towards Asami as he introduced himself, telling her that he went by the name Kether and that it was a pleasure to meet her. As he straightened his flattened back he asked why they were away from the festival, although it was obvious they had been the ones to the shrine. Hikari thought maybe Kether was making small talk despite already knowing the answer, or perhaps they weren’t really the same people from the shrine that they had seen earlier. While this occurred, Asami returned Kether’s bow and then, surprisingly enough, bowed to Hikari as well. Hikari, not one for being impolite, bowed respectfully back while she said, with her usual leveled and emotionless tone, “I am Hikari Hyuuga, and it is also a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances.”

Hayate’s reply was swift after Asami greeted them, informing them that the darker haired female had guided him to Shou’s shrine because all of the shrines near the festival were packed with festival goers all wanting to pay their respects, an admirable desire and one she should probably have done the sae for. Yet she didn’t entirely like the idea of leaving everything to the hands of fate and the gods, for they weren’t there to protect Salzem when he needed a miracle the most. Unknowingly the lighter haired boy had reassured her slightly when he mentioned that he didn’t believe in the stuff regarding the shrine, revealing that he had only gone to appease his grandfather.

Before the yellow haired newcomer could continue on, Kether turned toward her, nodding slightly as he chimed up and apologized, something she would have never suspected someone from Kiri to do. He even went so far as to acknowledge his fault and admitting he felt guilt for the way he acted. Hikari gave him a small smile for comfort, showing to him that she felt no animosity or irritation towards him, as she gave him her reply, “I’m grateful you understand and will remember it from now on. I hope it will help you in your life.” Her tone was less robotic, more human sounding than before, “You do not need to apologize, Kether, you have done nothing wrong. Your heart was in the right place when you approached me, so for that, you do not need to feel ashamed of yours actions.”

After a few moments of time for Kether to reply, Hayate began moving on to the questions that had been on his mind since he ran into Kether. It seemed her previous thoughts about the grin that had been plastered to his face when he first approached them was correct. He seemed to be teasing or jesting with Kether, wondering why his friend was away from the shrine and very close to the ocean., elbowing him in the ribs to emphasis the humorous meanings of his inquires. Hayate then told them that they shouldn’t argue during a beautiful festival, even claiming that it was Kether’s fault for starting the debate. It seemed he was a rather optimistic person, bringing up the quite enjoyable activity of fireworks and saying they could argue later, after they watched the spectacular show.

Hikari was unsure of what she needed to do; reply to the questions Hayate targeted towards Kether or remain silent, waiting for Kether to explain to them. She chose the former, finding it fun to look all around for any holes or damages. “We both just needed some fresh air, away from the festival, when we ran into each other.” She looked up at Hayate, making eye contact with the taller guy if he permitted her to do so. “Actually, I was the one who started it, not Kether. And I cannot wait to see the fireworks, they are always my favorite part about festivals.”

(WC: 3,568)
(I'm sorry if there are any typos or errors on this, I was really tired when I wrote it ^^'

Hayate certainly loved to talk, even if what he was saying didn’t really make sense to Kether. Still he was somewhat surprised that Hayate was simply visiting the shrine due to a sense of responsibility for doing so in order to appease his grandfather. He supposed it wasn’t too farfetched, however. People tended to continue doing what was familiar to them, although Kether would never understand why anyone would do something that they didn’t actually believe in. It seemed like a form of weakness, but Kether was willing to give Hayate the benefit of the doubt.
 
The other girl, Asami according to Hayate, returned his bow much to his relief. Hikari also made it clear that there were no hard feelings, which surprised Kether after the accusations he had laid at her feet. Still, he wasn’t one to complain when things went better than expected. She even seemed to have dropped the emotionless tone of voice she had used before. Perhaps he was naïve for trusting her so soon, but something just seemed inherently trustworthy about her after her little speech to him.
 
Hayate continued to talk as well, which brought Kether’s attention back to the boy. Was he implying that there was something suspicious going on between Kether and Hikari that had brought them out to this shrine? Before he could respond, Hikari gave her own explanation about the two of them simply needing some fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the festival and happened to run into each other.  He glanced at Hikari, who looked him straight in his bright green eyes.
 
That is not entirely true,” he admitted after she claimed that she had been the one who started the disagreement. ”I am more to blame than she is, although we appear to have come to an understanding.” He turned back to Hayate. ”So you have a good viewing spot to watch the fireworks?” he inquired. He had read books about groups of friends who simply sat and watched fireworks and hung out together. Was that what this was becoming? Was he making… friends?
 
Could he really afford friendship? Two of the people here were Genin, which means they had probably seen some form of combat already. Hayate was the only other academy student and even he had more training for combat than Kether did through his kenjutsu instruction. Kether may have been somewhat talented with the jutsu he had learned, but there weren’t a lot of particularly combat-oriented abilities that had been taught. If it came down to a fight between all of them, which it very well could since Kirigakure had reinstated the Blood Games, he wouldn’t be able to afford any sort of attachments to distract him or he’d end up dead. Then again, perhaps he could use it as an advantage if they felt any attachment to him…
 
”Perhaps going to view the fireworks would be a pleasant experience,” he said after a few moments. ”I’d be interested in hearing any advice the two of you could give me about being a Genin,” he added as he glanced at Asami and Hikari. Maybe he’d even be able to learn about some new jutsu or kekkai genkai. That would be make this evening more than worth the discomfort he felt from being at a festival.

WC: 554
TWC: 2,855

Ah, so it had been an argument.

The nature of said argument? Well, Asami wasn’t too sure how to answer that nor did she feel all that keen to push the matter further as it seemed both Hikari and Kether had resolved whatever the issue had been. The young genin was curious, but she was not that curious. Or was she?

No, no she wasn’t.

“I don’t necessarily have a ‘place’ to watch them, but,” she glanced over at Hayate, recalling what the boy had said when they first met. “Hayate mentioned having a ‘really good spot’ to watch them from.”

Yes, Asami had just invited herself and the two other strangers to go watch the fireworks with Hayate. Hopefully, he wasn’t expecting to be alone, because now there was no polite way out of it. The genin, however, saw nothing wrong with this. It only made sense that they’d all go watch the fireworks together, right? What else would any of them be doing?

Clearly flawless logic on the girl’s part. Nope flaws whatsoever, none at all…

“Lead the way Hayate,” her gaze now fell to the first stranger, Kether. “As for being a genin? I can’t really claim to have all that much experience myself…”

She trailed off and shifted her attention back to Hayate, with any luck the boy would soon lead the party of four to his ‘really good spot’ before Asami died of embarrassment. She hated admitting her shortcomings, but she hated lying more. The soft red blush Hayate had seen before returned to her face in full force once more.

TWC: 3216

[Sorry, not the most inspired post in the world.]

How could he have forgotten the time?  They could start any minute!

In the excitement he turned away, scanning the water near the village for signs of fireworks.  Useless, as they would have heard them, but still.....  "Oh yeah!   From here we can even take a shortcut - you mentioned she was a Genin, right?"  He looked between Kether and Hikari, confirming.   "But anyone who wants to go, we gotta go now, they'll be starting any minute.  Otherwise -if you guys wanna be alone or something " he muttered that last part quick and under his breath before returning to normal talking voice "its fine."

Hayate pauses to see who says they want to go and who doesn't, and says his goodbye, nice to meet/see ya's to anyone who stays.  When thats settled, with a playful "keep up" he'll run not directly at the village, but at a slight angle down the beach and, concentrating the chakra to his feet, out onto the water, heading straight towards the crowded end of the longest pier.

The blue jinbei flaps in the breeze as he runs, hands back in sinobi style, using the extra power from his chakra within him to make pumping his arms inefficient.

If anyone mentions along the way that it looks full, he'll mention with a smug smile they're not going ON the pier.  Indeed as they approach, they notice the farthest out pair of legs on the pier, right at the end, are connected by thick cross supports, like THIS (link) kind of thing.

When whoever came along gets there, they notice that the murmur of the crowd from above actually lowers quite a bit when they are under the pier.   Hayate will sit on the lowest crossbar, facing the ocean, with his right side against a pier leg.  The high tide means his toes would be just skimming the surface of the water.  "You can never make it to the end up top unless you come super early, but no one's ever down HERE.  I used to climb along the side, but the surface walking makes it much easier.  Plus ... "  A light starts from a platform boat a ways out into the water "oh nevermind.  you'll see, just watch!"

A high pitched whine accompanies the light of the first firework as it streams into the air, silencing the crowd.  It goes up impossibly long, then the sound and light disappear.  After a moment of silence and darkness, particles of red fire explode apart high into the sky with a loud boom.  Not only that, but the reflection of the fireworks appears in the water right at their feet, creating even more movement and color to watch.  Hayate idly uses the tip of his foot to splash some of the reflected firework onto the image of the rest of it.

Satisfied, Hayate settles in for the show, eager for his favorite part of the festival.

WC 487   wtc 3200

After she explained to Hayate that it was her fault for their disagreement, Kether chimed in and said he was more to blame than she, and then admitted they had come to an understanding, She felt it was best to not retort and accepted his view of the situation. Kether then went on to ask about Hayate’s viewing spot for the fireworks since the man seemed proud of his spot and was incredibly excited to watch the fireworks that would most likely be beginning any moment now.

At the mention of fireworks, Hayate seemed to zone everything else out as he turned away and clarified that his precious fireworks had not started yet. Once he confirmed they weren’t missing them, he whipped his head back to the group and began talking hurriedly.

“I’m actually a Chuunin, not a Genin.” Hikari interjected before Kether could confirm something he didn’t actually know. “We should hurry then so we don’t miss the fireworks.” She ignored his comments about them wanting to be alone, not wanting to give Hayate the idea that they had anything romantic going on between them. Hell, not only had they just met tonight, she was pretty sure Kether was young enough to be her brother. On top of that she was not searching for a relationship for the path she followed was dark and getting someone else mixed up in it was not something she could allow. No, she would take up her vengeance alone, and suffer the consequences of murdering her fellow Konoha nin by herself.

He paused a moment to see who else wanted to go, although Hikari presumed that everyone wanted to tag along. If anyone decided to sit this one out and not join, she too would say her farewells to them. If no one decided to stay back, then she would follow Hayate as he lead them to his spot, running across the shore and out onto the water. She focused chakra to her feet with ease as she raced along the water’s surface, never having thought of watching the fireworks from the ocean.

It didn’t take the small group of shinobi long to reach their destination: the longest pier, packed with festival goers eagerly awaiting the fireworks show to start. Hayate perched himself against one of the lowest crossbars, dangling his feet off the edge and almost into the water. Hikari chose another of the lower crossbars to sit at, her feet hardly coming close to the water’s surface due to her small stature. She could still see quite well from her position, and there was plenty of room on her crossbar for at least one other person, and two if they didn’t mind being a bit close to one another.

Hikari listened quietly as Hayate explained how he stumbled upon this spot, and how it was far easier to get to now that he was a shinobi and not just a civilian. She nodded her head in acknowledgement, understanding how much easier simple, mundane tasks were when they could use jutsu and special ninja items to aid them. Of course, with being a shinobi comes even greater responsibility and hardships, but at the same time, being a civilian meant they didn’t have the tools to face certain hardships (such as village takeovers, where the civilians are prey to anyone with power or chakra).

A single stream of light in the sky drew her attention, her lilac tinted eyes widened slightly as the scream of the firework faded and a moment later the same firework exploded into a beautiful red blast, coloring the darkened canvas with its vibrant hue. She was far too engrossed with the sky to notice the reflection the image painted on the water, or how Hayate gently kicked the water and splashed one reflection onto another. It was her first time seeing fireworks as a shinobi, for Konoha rarely had festivals, or she was always away on a mission when they took place. A small smile crept onto her lips as she watched the fireworks, taking in all the different colors and symbols they could make, her eyes glossed over like a child’s. A single, internal tear fell as she thought of Salzem and how he would have loved to watch the fireworks, and how she would have done anything to be able to see such a magnificent sight with him again. She bit her lip to keep the pain swelling in her stomach at bay, for even now she could not weep for her brother or the many memories and experiences he lost.

That was how her night ended, watching fireworks with three new acquaintances. They weren’t friends yet due to the fact none of them knew anything about her, not even the village she reigned from. They probably wouldn’t have let her watch the fireworks with them if they had known her true identity. But not having friends was okay with Hikari, she didn’t want to get too close to the young shinobi of Kirigakure, least the Blood Games tear her already scarred heart into a million more pieces.

(Exit)
(TWC: 4,420)
(Will make claims later)

Kether followed Hayate and the others as he took off running. His eyes widened as he realized that Hayate was planning on running out into the middle of the water to watch the fireworks but he quickly recovered and began to focus his chakra into the soles of his feet.  He let out a sigh of relief when the surface walking technique worked. It would’ve been embarrassing if he had been the only one who failed to get it right, after all.
 
He had to admit, the place that Hayate had brought them to definitely had a good view of the fireworks. The crowds on the pier above them were loud and impossible to navigate through but it was much more peaceful and free down here. He jumped onto one of the crossbars and perched for a few seconds before allowing himself to sit down and make himself comfortable.
 
As the fireworks began, Kether allowed a small smile to make its way onto his face. He glanced around at the others who were all captivated by the display. He certainly hadn’t expected to run into Hayate tonight, never mind two new people that he’d never met before. It had been an experience that he wouldn’t forget, for sure. The fireworks popped one after the over and Kether simply allowed himself to bask in the festivities and passively enjoy the company of his new acquaintances. In the end, it had certainly been worth coming out tonight.

[exit]

WC: 245
TWC: 3,100

Claiming 15 stats and Quiet Footsteps, Generic Sealing Technique, Fuinjutsu Breaking, and Fuinjutsu Lock

Chuunin?

Asami’s heart nearly jumped up and out of her throat at the mention of the rank. To be a chuunin in Kirigakure meant more than it did in any other village that the young genin knew of; it meant, to use a phrase her father always favored, ‘to have blood on your hands’. In this case, it meant Hikari had to be a killer. It unnerved Asami ever so slightly. Facing incorporeal spirits was one thing, but killing another human was another and yet Hikari looked—with the exception of her stunted stature—entirely normal. For some reason, she had imagined that a killer would look cruel and grizzled like all her instructors had in the academy.

In a strange way, it gave her hope, hope that the blood games did not mean an end to the ordinary.
With these thoughts in mind, she could not help but suppress a light airy laugh at Hayate’s implication about the relationship between Hikari and Kether. Perhaps it was because of their height difference or maybe their rank discrepancy, but the thought of the two mismatched people being involved amused Asami more than she could put into words. Surely, were she to have been asked what she found funny she would be unable to answer and therein lay the beauty of humor, it didn’t require a rhyme or reason. It simply was.

Luckily, there was no explanation required, because soon the four youths found themselves skipping across the waves. Keeping up with Hayate required little effort from Asami, but regardless of the pace she welcomed the chance to get moving again and, in doing so, stave off the chill of the night air. As they ran on the relatively calm service, the girl’s gaze wandered out to the sea where she could just barely make out a few bolts of lightning. Even the storm circle around the village seemed to be taking it easy for the festival—normally it kicked up distant whitecaps, but that evening it might as well not been there, it was that calm.

The artificial storm served as both a barrier to prevent attackers and to discourage defectors. However, for Asami in particular, it felt like the bars on a jail she could not hope to escape from. Once there had been a time when the people of Shimigakure, herself included, could sail the seas without fear of wicked swells. Now? Well, now, it was a rarity to not see an ever-churning wall of waves when one turned their attention to the sea. More than anything, the young wanted to ply the waves without fearing for her life and those onboard.

Alas, for the moment, there was nothing to be done.

The glow of the village drew her back to reality as the main pier came into view. Her first thought was, of course, that they were too late. After all, the pier had filled up hours ago. In fact, she found herself just about to apologize to Hayate, she hadn’t meant to steal away the night from him. Her worries, she soon discovered were unfounded because Hayate did not plan to stand on the pier, but rather sit below it.

Finding a place on the far side of the same crossbar Hayate sat on, she leaned against one of the pier’s many pylons. Hayate said something, but it was soon swallowed up by the opening salvo of the show. Red, blue, and green lit up the night sky; the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the crowd above followed each explosion; and the briny musk of the sea mingled with the distinct smell of sulfur, the festival was now in full swing. Never once taking her eyes off the sky above, Asami marveled at the increasingly complex explosions. What started as merely unordered explosions soon took on the forms of flowers, stars, and, though Asami couldn’t be on hundred percent certain, a face.

Soon the grand finale came in low rumble which built up in a dull roar and then exploded into an excited cacophony. It went on for what felt like an hour, but probably only amounted to five or so minutes. By the end of it Asami’s ears still held the last defiant boom and her chest still pounded with all the power of the show she’d just watched. Above the foursome the crowds began to move again, it was time to go home. Yes, home would be nice; she couldn’t stay out all night, her parents would worry.

“It was nice to meet you all,” she called out as she dropped onto the water below. “Have a good night.”

And with that, she began the long walk home followed by only the heady recollections of the evening.

Perhaps she could finally take that shower?

TWC 4011

{Exit, claiming +20 stats and 4000/4000 training for Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation . Throwing the extra 11 words into the recycling bin.}

Exit
Twc 3200

3000 for spatha (item) http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t38560-spatha

200 for one stat.

(Claiming: Kether, Hayate, and Asami's chakra signatures memorized and all 4,420 WC towards my amazing tattoo <3, which already had 7,251 WC toward its charges from this thread, placing it at 11,671/12,500 ^_^)

Hello, all, sorry for the late response but I'm here now thanks to spam exiter Hikari.

Kether, can you specify which version of the techs you're claiming? Since it's in order, then I'm assuming you're claiming the E-rank versions of fuin break/lock but that leaves you with 2000 words used and 1000 words remaining, up to you pal.

Approved, Gary

I already covered your weapon on its app page, but approved of your single stat, Hayate, enjoy it.

Denying best Hikari for cluttering the sidebar Approved although you probably have another thread to go max it