The formation of Kintsugi

“Yes, if you are a good boy, you will get rewarded. I promise,”

Reo was on cloud nine. Akaime had ruffled his hair and so acknowledged their brotherhood. He looked up at his towering sibling with nothing but joy in his eyes. He would be so good! He would show him that he is the bestest little brother in the whole wide world! He knew it wasn't his time to speak as the others moved the conversation forward. He was a good boy and would wear his patient pants. He listened to the others vaguely, instead using the opportunity to snuggle into his new sibling further.

He was excited to hear he had a new sibling in the girl as well, so when she finished speaking he flashed her a shy smile, while his face was still somewhat hidden behind Akaime. He wanted to be tough like her! When their eyes met she seemed to give him a small, knowing smirk. Not understanding the import of what she was trying to communicate he merely smiled wider at her and then buried his face fully into his brother. She was so cool! He bet she would be a real meanie to their enemies. But that was okay! Anyone who threatened this family deserved meanie treatment. A small shiver went through him as he thought of their enemies falling, and the countless bodies that would leave for him to experiment with. Chop, cut, sew, crack! He sighed delightedly, only thinking of his next autopsy. The split of the body as he began to examine them even down to the cellular level was almost titillating. It was better than Christmas!

As the odd man and the bug man left Reo found that he didn't care. They weren't joining the family, so they weren't worth his time or effort. A small sigh escaped him, though. As he realized he wouldn't be able to learn the secrets of their anatomy any time soon. However, it was then that his new father spoke.

Father was angry! Reo couldn't help but let a small growl escape him, audible even as he kept his face half-hidden in Akaime's clothes. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a senbon. He gestured angrily with it in the direction the mandible man had left. He growled again 'fiercely,' and then flung the senbon out into the darkness. He went pale though as he realized what he had done. His father had asked him not to touch his senbon! He was a bad, bad boy! He turned his gaze towards him, tears in his eyes, but before he could speak his brother got to it first.

“You have every right to be angry, Father. But we are here now, we are with you. Whenever you give the word, I will bring that beast to you; so, you can deliver the final judgment for him disgracing your kindness. But for now, let’s enjoy the feast that you so graciously provided for us,”

Reo looked up at his brother, his eyes clearing, instead seeming to sparkle with remnants of his unshed tears. His brother was the bee's knees. He was going to hunt down the bad man and distract from Reo's mistake. He couldn't be happier, even as butterflies still fluttered in his stomach, waiting for him to be called out and punished for being the horrible, terrible boy he was.

“Shall we get you something to eat?”

Reo grinned up at Akaime, a lopsided smile, and nodded eagerly. It was then that the night turned joyful. Nothing but feasting, laughter, and merriment. A new family had been born. The Kintsugi were newly formed and their heart had begun beating, here in this clearing by the Wicked Grove. Newly born, but not weak, they would show the world what they were capable of. It was after thinking this that Akaime's words reached him.

“Since we’re all family, does that mean our family name is now Kintsugi? Akaime Kintsugi? Reo Kintsugi? They do have a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Reo Kintsugi. He liked it. For the first time in a long time, Reo felt like he finally had a home and he would kill, cut, maim, and torture to keep it this way. His family safe and strong. Them against the world. They would teach all the meanies and rulebreakers in the world a lesson. Reo vowed that to himself a mad, fervent light coming to his eyes. Yes, he swore it, no takebacksies!!!

WC: 753
TWC: 2,628

Exit:

Using x1 A-Grade Firework applying 50% WC increased up to everyone in the thread to a maximum of 2,500 WC
Reo's new WC total: 3,942
Other 3 beneficiaries:
Kakushin
Sabi
Alister
-50,000 ryo given to Kakushin during the end of night festivities.
New ryo total: 25,200

1,500/2,000 WC towards the Sensory specialty (500 WC already applied from RP sample and claimed on stat page)
2,000/2,000 WC towards learning the Wind element (WC not doubled as Reo is clanless)
442/1,500 WC towards Hiden Mind Body Switch Technique B rank

19 stat points applied to speed
10 stat points applied to chakra
10 stat points applied to strength

(please double check stat math, I'm unsure if I can learn specialties and elements while also applying it to stats like you can with jutsu and skills)

3,942 WC applied - 0 remaining

Of course, the leaving of a would be member, someone he extanded his hand toward, a hand that was vulnerable, filled Kakushin with despair, and rage. But he wasnt a being of emotion. As he felt his rage flow trough him for seconds, he quickly gathered himself back, leaving only the contemplation of a sad and missed opportunity, and now of a loose end that need to be tied in due time, a chore only in need to be done, to keep his work from being dirty and badly made. After all, Kintsugi was his vision, but it was meant to be existing only in minds, not in the material world, and as such would need to stay in the utmost secrecy. But this wasnt the moment to think about it. He was surrounded by people loyal to him, even if Alister seemed to doubt and wait to see, wich in all honesty, the Senju could only approve, himself being beyond mortal and lofty promises of the speech, so easily weaved into a web of lies or false truths. As a still good gesture, Kakushin took it uppon himself to gather a filled plate of the feast and a jug of drink and walk away from the camp, toward the cave that Alister rested in, and to leave it to him on the entrance.

''Here. For you, to at least give a small token of my generosity. I shall take it uppon me to prove ourselves to you.'' Said Kakushin. He was gratefull for the doubting man to stay neer and watch them, even if it was with a lot of doubt and no trust for now, but still, he knew this gesture would be the first step to loyalty.

As he got back toward the feast, he enjoyed the camaraderie and presence of others, but from a distance, keeping his bubble of being a remote and mysterious mystical individual, most of the time not talking and peering into the sky, or on the ground, his hands resting on his mouth, appearing pensive and in his toughts, thinking a thousands and one plan and outcome for his family and their survival, but also their well being and power. Of course, trough those moment of mindfullness and remoteness into his own mind, he ocasionnaly talked and laughed with others, seeing the family vibe between Akaime and Reo, wich warmed his heart. As they played together, the tall Senju approached Sabi, and thanked her with a head bow for her kind words, validating his dream and idea. 

''You are very appreciated Sabi. I thank you for those words. It meant the world to me.'' Said the man in a low tone, close to her face, before leaning closer.

''You have... beautifull eyes. They are honnest, true. Gazing into them is like gazing into your very soul. It is...enthraling to say the least.'' added the brown haired man, smiling faintly, and locking his eyes with hers. He waited for something to happen and wether or not it did, he backed up his visage from hers, and turned his gaze slowly back to the others two. This was the start of something great. And with the money Akaime gave him, they were on the right track to get their more well built camp and caravan. But first, before they all sunk deeper into the night, it seems there was a certain question of being a litteral family, with Kintsugi being their last name, their new one at the very least.

''As much as I appreciate the tought for the name, this family is one of the heart, and of the mind, not of the material world. It is to exist only in ourselves. So i'd rather you keep this secrecy in mind, and that include not sharing the name of the group. Actually, to help you in this endeavor I can tell you more.'' said Kakushin, taking a pause before going again. ''Kintsugi is an art, as I explained that is about mending broken things to make them stronger, more beautifull then before. We will present ourselves as Kintsugi, yes, but only when we will pose in covers, as potters and artisans. Otherwise, we are to keep the most possible our real selves and activities from the rest of the world. Secrecy and knowledge will be our power.'' Added the man, smiling now and peering into the eyes of the people he could now call family. As they all gathered again and feasted, they enjoyed until the slept, and in the morning packed up the camp to move, all together, united.

[EXIT]

TWC:4010+50% from firework by reo=6015

60 points going for stats toward chakra (new chakra=80)

using WC for acquiring the following:

• 932WC going toward Wood Release to acquire it (from here)
  
• 3000 going toward Clan Pureblood
  
• 1500 going toward Humble Carpenter Technique
  
• Genjutsu Release and its mastery for 500WC
  
• 83 remaining WC going toward Tobirama Fury (83/2500)
  

Acquiring 100,000 ryo from donations at the end of thread. New ryo total =103,700.

Do not compromise your life and flesh?  Buried too many? History books and scrolls? Alister's vernacular, although not difficult to understand, to Sabi, comes off as almost cryptic. She never really cared for history books and scrolls. Then again, she never really cared about anything that didn't involve her and a sizeable fortune to be had therein. Who's to tell her not to compromise her flesh—hell, even her life, the one thing she has absolute control over—when in pursuit of life's greater pleasures? Life is always a matter of give and take, and while her body can certainly give, the selfsame mortal coil bounds her to limitations by whatever gods weaved her being into existence. But first, she'll need the tools and wherewithal to attain the means to fend off would-be competitors who would impede upon her pursuit, as the scales are presently tipped disfavorably against her, it won't be long until she finds an exploit, a loophole, to take full advantage of what she firmly believes will actualize and, eventually, reveal her life's purpose.

"Yeah, thanks for the advice, Uncle," Sabi says with a slight roll of the eyes. "I'll keep it in mind and look both ways before I cross, too." Then, finally, something interesting happens:


And rightfully so, his body language was a dead giveaway from the start of the conversation after he injected himself into the equation. While he spoke with purpose and conviction of his way of life, his body betrayed the growing concern and eventual fear—the same fear Sabi relishes in seeing on others' faces when she's about to take what's theirs—he felt as Kakushin offered his own two cents. He was afraid of what they might have done to him if he didn't agree to join their little club. And that fear was justifiable. Sabi could see it in his eyes: he knew he wasn't strong enough to fend them off if they decided to turn on him, but he also knew that by agreeing to join them, he would be giving them control over him. And he knew this. When he rises to leave the campsite, Kakushin lets him off the hook with a foreboding, a warning that sends goosebumps along Sabi's skin when he mentions a 20-day grace period before he's assigned a Kill on Sight "warrant" by Yours Truly.

And Sabi's here for it. She's always been a gluten for a good hunt—Headhunting, to be precise—it gives her a rush like no other, and she's learned how to take full advantage of the opportunity presented in front of her, even when the prey is more than aware of its predator. It's all about the game of cat and mouse, the thrill of the chase, and the inevitable capture. And kill. And twenty days is long enough for her to sharpen her proverbial saw and learn a couple of tricks to make the hunt worthwhile. And everyone else involved appears to be in agreement, too, which will add a dimension of sport to the activity when the day comes. But, Kenshin will have to wait his turn and marinate for a while, as there are more pressing issues at hand, involving a feast and good cheer to those who [proverbially] pledged their fealty to Kakushin.

When Akaime approaches the palatable foodstuffs and turns to face Sabi, she smiles and waves her hand dismissively. "Please, most o' the credit should be goin' to 'im with those strong arms o' 'is. But, I'm not one ta fuss about it. I'll take it where I can get it... It's Sabi, by the way. Pleasure." Seeing him and Reo commune as though they'd been siblings their whole lives makes her feel like the odd one out, but she doesn't let it bother her too much. Although the feeling is fleeting when Kakushin addresses her personal—thanking her for the attempt, for what it's worth—of supplementing validation to his prior oration—while the other two indulge one another, in a rather suspiciously gruff tone.

"Naw, don't sweat it. I'm sure yer gonna do great things with that power of yours. And if ya ever need any extra hands ta help ya out, I'll be there. I'm sure it'll be fun," She says and would've given him a playful wink to sign off on the comment until she finds herself, or rather her eyes, intimately close to his and they reflexively, although briefly, stray, and bound to his lips expectantly before snapping back up to meet his eyes again in a way that provokes her heart to a rhythmic dance and the heat that rises to her cheeks gives them a slight tint of color. Whatmore, he dares to appreciate and remark her sea-pink orbs and behind them, the content of her character. If she hadn't known any better, she would've thought he was attempting to woo her with such bold flattery. And he certainly did a good job of invoking the sense of butterflies in her stomach. But she does know better, it's a game of power she's quite happy to wrestle with him for and she'll siphon off the high the tension between them brings for as long as she can until she feels the need, no, the want, for something to change.

So, instead of giving him the satisfaction of knowing what he does to her, she opts for a more subtle approach and simply takes it as is—a compliment from one stranger to another—and offers him a smile in return, "Thanks," She starts, with a mellow tone before following up with a riposte of her own. "I'm sure ya got yer fair share of admirers, too. Yer quite easy on the eyes yerself. Now c'mon, food's gunna get cold if we don't dig in." And with that, she turns her attention back to the feast and hand and acquaints herself with her merry band of misfits before Kakushin delivers, yet again, another heartfelt peroration. To mend things that are broken again. To make them more beautiful. It reminds her of something she remembered way back whence in her upbringing. She recalls her parents discussing the origin of a name. An aesthetic in particular that resonates yet the name escapes her. Perhaps it has something to do with the term, "Kintsugi", but it shares a familiar concept with another term her memory fails to recollect.

A thought for another time. For now, she succumbs to the temptation of the feast and takes a bite of one of the many delicacies laid out before her until the retinue soon retires for the night until the coming day's morrow.

It's only downhill from here.

---

WC: 1,121
TWC: 3,367 (x1.5 via Reo Mana's A-Grade Firework) = 5,050

Kakushin Senju wrote:
[EXIT]

TWC:4010+50% from firework by reo=6015

60 points going for stats toward chakra (new chakra=80)

using WC for acquiring the following:

• 932WC going toward Wood Release to acquire it (from here)
  
• 3000 going toward Clan Pureblood
  
• 1500 going toward Humble Carpenter Technique
  
• Genjutsu Release and its mastery for 500WC
  
• 83 remaining WC going toward Tobirama Fury (83/2500)
  

Acquiring 100,000 ryo from donations at the end of thread. New ryo total =103,700.

Approved

Requesting approval for the following claims:

Investing 5,050 TWC into the following Skill(s):

► Training Beloved Presence (2,000/2,000) [3,050 TWC Left]
► Training Chakra Suppression (1,149/2,000) [1,901 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 1,901 TWC into the following Jutsu:

► Training Butterfly Effect @ C-Rank [99/1,000] → (1,000/1,000) [1,000 TWC Left] (Prog' here)
► Training Perspective @ C-Rank (1,000/1,000) [0 TWC Left]

Investing 5,050 TWC into the following Stat Points:

► Training +40 Speed (-4,000 WC) [1,050 TWC Left]
► Training +10 Chakra (-1,000 WC) [50 TWC Left]

→Expunging the remaining 50 TWC Left.