Finding the Foundry [Solo]

The sun was setting in the bay, the majestic rays sent the water glittering in a frenzy till it finally took it's bow for the day. Since the winter is coming, the days have gotten shorter and much cooler. It only took moments for Seiichi's body to realize there was no longer a heat source in the sky; Seiichi pulled his robes closed and began to huddle his way back home. He has spent much of his day at the village leader's castle, working on paperwork, and pushing typing information up for the upcoming meetings he has; all back flow from his aid.

Walking along the castle walls like he usually does, he decided to take a shortcut home. He had been taking this way since he started to work in administration. He thought that it was quicker than going through the city itself. This way he would follow the castle to the cliffs then follow them home to the residential district. Today, he decided to go down a little more narrow way. There was a slight crevice that went through the cliff face as it attached to the castle walls. There didn't seem to be anywhere to go but straight as he went through.

Today, it was darker than usual; the October sky shielded the light from the moon. But he knew where he was going, it wasn't like he could get lost. He pushed himself through the crack and began the quarter or so mile trek home. The ground was often uneven or blocked by large boulders that he had to traverse. One in particular, he had to put both hands against the adjacent walls and climb up like he was a kid in a hallway, the thing seemed to go vertical for several meters before the top. As he made his way his hand caught a sharp stone to his right. As he leaned and nursed his wound something caught his eye. There was another crack, but light could be seen through it. He had never noticed this before.

What could be on the other side? Some secret of the Village leader no doubt. The man didn't seem bad. But they would be that bad if it was obvious. The most secret ninja know how to hide, in plain sight no doubt. As a village shinobi it was Seiichi's job, his duty, to investigate such a thing, especially if it was to protect his village from an attack from the inside. That is all they needed. A war. They were already short staffed, add a war onto it and you are calling for chaos. Trying to peer inside the crack, he couldn't make anything out, and assumed that the crack wasn't a clear hole, more like a jagged space that let light through, like a turn down a hallway.

He finished his climb up the boulder then started to examine the wall more closely. Seiichi didn't see any other openings, and nothing that was a, "path way". He began to push on random stones here and there, maybe there was a secret passage or a way in. After a few moments nothing had moved. There has to be a way in. he thought, then moved further down the pathway. He decided to strike one of his matches, Seiichi had remembered watching a movie once, where the man used the smoke to search for hidden passageways.

Just as the flame took, the ground under Seiichi's feet tilted to one direction. The whole world seemed to flip upside down and around as he tumbled headfirst down another narrow tunnel. He didn't know what he had done. His head hit one side of the wall, then whipped to the other side.

Darkness embraced him.

What have I done?, he thought as he passed out.

[wc 636]

Seiichi's eyes opened slowly as he regained consciousness. His head hurt, and his memory was foggy. What happened? Where was he? The thoughts filled his mind, and their answers followed seconds afterwards. He was in the crevice. After he lit the match. That was it, that's all he could recall. Something must have set off a trap door. He got to his hands, and knees, then slowly to his feet. 

He found himself in a dim room. It was lit by a lone torch in the far corner next to a wooden doorway. The ground was smooth and well kept, no rubble or debris were present. If it was a trap he would think this place would be filled with spikes, or some other devious thing that would kill him as soon as he entered. He determined this must be an entryway, the space the leader uses to enter his layer. 

Cautiously approaching the door, Seiichi readied himself, his fist was balled, and his fingers were ready to dash to perform a jutsu. He wasn't strong, he doubt he could do anything to anyone right now, not only because he had small muscles, but his head still pounded from the fall. He hoped he didn't have a concussion; the lack of vomiting, and dizziness was a good sign. Seiichi twisted the handle on the door. It swung open with a loud clicking noise, and gave way to a long hallway. It had torches lining the wall next to several other doors. The ground was tiled with marble that shone with the light, a swirl of grey-black into white. 

"I'm telling you I heard a noise." A voice said from another room. 
"Fine, come on now, we can check the others." another voice said. 

The door next to Seiichi opened. Seiichi had no choice, he plastered himself against the stone wall, hoping whoever it was would turn the other way, and not notice his obvious presence. But his hope was almost immediately extinguished. 

A creature stood there looking at Seiichi. The thing's hand was nudging a rather large rat behind it's leg, a protective posture. It put out an outstretched hand. A hand. The thing was more like a rat than anything else, but it had five fingers like a man, and presented itself in clothing. Golden eyes, black and grey fur took up it's body, and almost ornate clothing covered it. 

"Ahhahh." The thing said in surprise, he started to back away slowly. "Who are you?" 
"My name is Seiichi Kittaru. Who are you?" Seiichi wondered if he was going crazy, he'd never seen a talking rat before. 
"My name is Loukin. I am the Keeper of this michift." 
"Michift?" Seiichi asked, "No, I mean, what are you doing here, where is the Village leader?" 

Confused, the rat looked around. 

"Oh. Oh no." His posture dropped to a more calm stance. "You are from above." He concluded. "All of these passages should have been sealed when we arrived." He continued, "I apologize, but you really must be going, these streets aren't safe for you here." 

Seiichi was puzzled. "From above." of course he was, where else would he be from? But the thing had yet answered his question. His head pounded, and he put his hand up to ease himself. The room started to spin. Concussion he thought. Then dropped to the floor. 

In a dizzying haze Seiichi could start to hear voices around him. 

"Did you really have to?" A woman's voice said. "I mean, that jutsu is just so awful." 

Seiichi could feel a hand against his head, as soon as it was placed there his dizziness faded, and so did his sleepiness. Not a concussion, this thing did something to me. He thought as he sat up.

He found himself in a bed. It was made of wood, and had sheets. It was just a little small for him, but it was comfortable nonetheless. The sheets and blankets were like something he would find at a market. The "woman" kneeling next to him wasn't a woman at all, but another larger rat. She wore a neatly kept komono. 

"I am so sorry about that. Loukin can be so rash sometimes. You should feel tip-top within a few hours. Till then make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and take everything really slow, ok?" She said, handing Seiichi a small cup of water. 

"What is going on here?" Seiichi asked. 

"We are not from around here." The lady-like rat said, "infact, we have just begun to move in. Though, I'm sure Loukin is going to give the watch a great big hassle about that doorway you fell through." She giggled. "My name is Phiona. Loukin is my mate, and this is Odi." a smaller rat, the one from the hallway poked his head out from under her arm. 
"Can we eat him?" He said. 
"Oh you shush child. Human's are not for us to eat." She said. 

Seiichi was relieved at that. He wasn't sure what he had fallen into, but danger could be crossed off his list. At least being eat can be crossed off. He thought.

[wc 864 + 636 = 1500]

Seiichi stood up slowly. He seemed to be in a room cut into stone, similar to the one he fell down into an hour or so ago. Though, this place had a lot more inside of it. A dresser was against one of the walls, the bed in the center of the room, a wooden door just to his left with a matching nightstand with an oil lamp sitting atop it. His bare feet touched the ground, a carpet made of some type of fur extended about three feet from the bed, his feet were actually comfortable against it. 

"Here lad, let me help you up." Phionia grabbed his arm. 'Odi, can you grab the walking stick over there... no... the large one." 

She pointed to a thick, dark wood stick that leaned against the wall. It looked like it once had bristles on the bottom for sweeping. Seiichi had a feeling she was calling it a walking stick for his benefit. Don't disturb the already disturbed, or don't trouble the already troubled mind, he remembered his dad telling him that once. Why put your burdens on those who have enough problems themselves? 

Odi stood on his hind legs, grasped the stick with his arms, and wobbled it over to Seiichi. As soon as the man grabbed the wooden poll, Odi fell back to all fours. It looked like he was capable of walking on his hind legs, but simply wasn't strong enough. Seiichi leaned on the stick, first to test his weight against it, then, after releasing the lady rat, he put all of his body on it. It was a streardy object. 

"Thank you." Seiichi said. "Now, what is it you all are doing here?"
"We are... travelers." Phiona said. 
"Should we be talking to him like this? Who knows who he is affiliated with, I bet the council sent him in here for us to find and trick-" Loukin said.
"Shush now love. No need to startle our guest. If he is some kind of spy we minds treat him well anyway, no?" Phiona said. "Now, Odi, go and get JinRo, and show him around the Town." 
"Do you think that is smart Phiona, I don't know if the others will take kindly to a stranger." Loukin said. 
"They will be fine. Just stay in the square dear." She said, then gestured Seiichi and the small rat out the door. 
"Don't forget to drink water. There are some pails around here." Phiona said as they headed off. 

Seiichi was happy for the walking stick. He didn't realize how dizzy he was, not really, until he crossed the threshold into, "the square". The place seemed to spin around him for a moment, then, as his gaze settled, so did the room. It was a large space. In the center was a well of some sort. Along the walls were small cutouts, places Seiichi assumed were other homes. There was a large forge cut into one of the corners of the square, it looked strange to Seiichi, but he couldn't place why that was. Sure, it was smaller than a human forge, but there was something else. 

"So, where are you from?" Odi asked. 

The small rat had been looking at him, watching him carefully as he walked. Seiichi didn't interpret this as fear, more so curiosity. 

"I am from Tanbogakure. I am from here." Seiichi answered. "Where are you from?" 
"Oh. I don't think I can say."

[wc 578 = 2078]

They seemed to be just walking in circles here. One loop then two, each around the well that was placed in the center of the compound. After 15 minutes or so of Seiichi trying to get information out of the young looking rat, he gave up.

"Look. If you want to know more, your gunna have to talk to my dad." The rat said.
"Fine. Lets go back there then."
"No, we have to keep moving. The technique he used is very potent."
"I am actually starting to feel a lot better... Technique, are you all some kind of ninja?"
'You could say that. We have train here to protect our mischief. Some even use swords, but I doubt you will see any of them."
"Interesting." Seiichi said.

He had never meat a summon race, but he had the distinct feeling that he was among one. Did everyone who can summon go through stuff like this? he thought. If they had, they do well keeping their mouths closed. But the races do as well at hiding as any human could, and if they could use ninjutsu, well, there seemed to be no stopping them at that point. Seiichi continued to walk until the little rat told him it was time to head back to the house.

After entering inside he sat on the bed, as he was gestured to do, and gave the stick back to Phiona.

"So, we have decided, we must erase your memory." The lady rat said. "That is the only way to insure our safety."
"Woh now. I thought you weren't going to hurt me." Seiichi said.
"We will not. It is simple genjutsu really." The lady rat finished, Loukin started making the necessary handseals.
"Wait!" Seiichi stood up, he waved his hands in front of him. "Can't we just make a deal?"

Everyone in the room stopped. Loukin's hands paused mid jutsu.

"What kind of deal?" The male rat asked.
"You all are some kind of ninja rat society, right? Can't I just sign something, promising to keep you all secret? There must be some kind jutsu that would bind me to keep my oath." Seiichi said.

The rats all looked at each other.

"He could sign the contract father. He will be the first to join us." Odi said, looking up at his father curiously.
"That isn't a bad idea, Odi. He keeps our secret, in exchange for our services." Loukin looked at his wife.
"We would have to consult the council." She said.

The male rat quickly completed his handseals, and Seiichi became dizzy once again. The last thing Seiichi saw was Phiona smacking her husband on the shoulder.

"You and that Jutsu..."

_______________________________

The following morning Seiichi found himself on his own bed. His head was fuzzy, legs were weak, and he had a tag tied onto this right wrist. It was crude, but he could make it out.

"It was not a dream. Keep our secret, and we will see." Signed, "Loukin".

He looked back and forth through the room. Seiichis head hurt, but it wasn't debilitating. On his nightstand sat a small cup of tea, he had assumed Phiona made it for him when they dropped him off last night. At least he thought it was only a few hours since his contact with them. He gulped it down, cold. The fluid soothed his head almost instantly.

Seiichi's father barged into his room. It startled him, he quickly hid his hands behind his back. Making sure the letter doesn't give anything away.

"What are you still doing here, don't you have work at the castle?" His father said, the concern was obvious on his face.
"Oh. Yes. I must have slept in." Seiichi said, his face turned red. That was ok, his father would think it was embarrassment, not that he was lying.
"I will go make your lunch." He vanished off into the house.

Seiichi got up, ripped the tag from his wrist and hid it under his bed. He changed his clothes, and after grabbing the meal prepared by his father, he left the house, and ran to the castle. Luckily he wasn't needed in the Komekage's office this morning, he had told him he'd spend today combing through some research in the basement. Being told to create the history for Tanbogakure he had to know more about the village, more than anyone, and there had to be some documents there.

He spent the day going through the records. Village leader this, toke over from village leader that. Complete documents on shipments in and out of the village. Building code laws and records. It seemed they used the space as a dumping ground.

"Don't these people get rid of anything?" He said aloud.

The room was filled with torch light. Stacks of boxes filled the 10x10 space, there was enough room to walk through the middle. This was only one of a dozen down the hallway. It was going to take more than just a day to go through it all. He is going to need some help. Maybe he could talk the Komekage's aid into doing some of the work. The thought caused him to smile as he read the texts.

After work he went and had Ramen at his girlfriends. His favorite spicy pork. After spending the evening with her he headed home. His father was already at his Shogi tournament. And Seiichi found himself quickly falling to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The room filled with smoke and a flash seemed to woke Seiichi from his sleep. Startled, he reached for his tanto he kept under his pillow, but it was Loukin standing in front of him.

"What are you doing here?" Seiichi asked him. The male rat was holding a dim lantern.
"I am here to inform you, that the council has accepted your request. You may keep your memories, we will have you sign the summoning contract, and you will keep our secret. You must never tell anyone of our location." He said.
"Oh, yes of course." Seiichi said, half awake.

The rat quickly made handseals and summoned the contract guardian. There was another puff of smoke and a meter tall rat with a thick scroll attached to his back stood next to Loukin.

As Seiichi signed the document the rat said, "We have been watching you, you know?"
"Oh?" Seiichi said, his name smeared in blood on the contract. It was located in the first space.
"The council feels we should trust you, and... by the looks of it, we have no choice." The guardian said. And with that the scroll quickly retracted and was back on the rats back in a moment.

"We shall see you again Seiichi Kittaru."

Seiichi bowed his head, and they were gone.


[Exit]
[wc 1139 + 2078 = TWC 3217 / 2000/2000 Contract with Rats of The Black Foundry / 1000/2000 Sensory (SPEC) / 217/1000 Summoning Technique / +5 Speed / +27 chakra]

Approved!