Desert Blooms

Marabelle had taken a detour through the Land of Wind before finding her way towards the remnants of the once proud, Sunagakure No Sato. The village had recently been under new management from what she understood though it was not clear on the details. Word traveled in many different ways but the vagabond shinobi that was wandering did not mind some of the geopolitical woes of the world at present. Learning her place in that will be a later venture, for now, it was just a restock and resupply before finding a port on the side of the Land of Wind to head to one of the island nations out closer to home. There was plenty to do and consider as she approached the village.

WC: 125

Peace had finally returned to the place once known as Sunagakure no Sato, the former Village Hidden by Sand in the Land of Wind. Where it used to bloom as the finest flower it eventually became rot and infested by a handful of rogue ninja slithering their way in after its decline. It was no different upon Shogo's arrival, locals staying inside while criminals roamed the streets looking for an opportunity to terrorize and strike fear into the hearts of people. Corruption and disease festering, almost begging to be cleansed by those capable. And so he did, with swift yet vicious strikes the young Freya ended up removing one threat after the other, slowly healing the wounds of what used to be.

With their suffering having come to an end the people of the village could finally breathe again, picking up their lives the best they could. Aware there might be evil lurking from the shadows, waiting for an opportune moment to strike, Shogo devoted himself to stick around, at least until they were able to walk on their own two feet and fend for themselves. Something rather difficult when most of the shinobi forces had either perished or disappeared, perhaps even abandoning what they once considered their home. So there he was, standing guard at what was supposed to be the entry gates.

Slightly leaning against one of the walls with his arms crossed, the demeanor of the Freya swordsman could easily be mistaken as nonchalant, but for those with a practiced hand or possessing an eye for body language it would be clear that he would need no more than a second to act when necessary. Some time passed when he noticed a small dot in the distance slowly approaching the village gates. "It looks to real to be a Fata Morgana, nor am I hallucinating" Shogo ruled out the possibility of dealing with some sort of mirage, meaning there was in fact someone walking towards former Sunagakure.

Fixing his posture even only by a little, the man now stood perfectly straight, his arms still crossed and leaning on the handle of his sword. He allowed the stranger to come closer but upon the woman entering a space roughly twenty meters from him, Shogo eventually called out. "Good day to you, please state your name and business please". Even though his words were kind, he knew the importance of keeping up his guard at all times.

(WC: 408)

Once approaching the sad gates of Sunagakure, Marabelle spotted the swordsman well a ways away and it was once she was twenty meters he spoke out towards her. As a lone wanderer herself, she knew that even a village that had fallen from grace would still have people supporting it. Since he indicated such a greeting from the distance he did, she felt it was appropriate to stop there and not press any closer till otherwise told to do so. "Hello and good day to you too." she declared without hesitation to his initial greeting. She offered a wave of her arm as her kimono sleeve slid down. Even from this distance, she was tiny and yelled to be heard.

"I am going to approach you to make it easier to converse!" She added while standing on a well-beaten and covered road that led to the village. If allowed she would close the gap to 10 meters or until she was told to stop. Once closer if permitted she continued to speak, "My name is Marabelle Blossom. I am presently a wandering medic though my travels have brought me here instead of my intended destination." She declared as she adjusted her satchel on her hip to pull out an armband. "I know it's difficult to see potentially but there's a white cross on it." She said holding it up in the air for hopefully easier inspection to the Freya.

From there she put the armband away and bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I wandered in this direction for a quick resupply before setting back out for my intended destination. I am looking to resettle myself after recruiting my sister to help me in my cause." She elaborated giving more food for thought for the man at the gate. It seemed to her that the man was doing more than the standard civic duty of a shinobi of the village and likely felt the need to be there to help support the village that was settling on its last legs. "I hope someone such as myself is still welcome to trade." She added back bringing attention to her reason to stop by Sunagakure no Sato, supplies.

She had a long journey ahead of her and surprisingly it was going to be wild in temperatures. She was prepared at minimum for the more temperate climates of the mainland. Her kimono was short and her footwear was not made for such a place as a desert but she made it work either way. Out of place like a vibrant plant in a desert, Marabelle's demeanor did not shift or change while she spoke and conversed with Shogo. Perhaps it was an attribute of her character or how she was raised but for sure her etiquette was likely foreign as she too had a tanto on her hip and sword on her back indicating she was accustomed in some fashion to the dangers of the roads she deigned to travel on.

WC: 500, TWC: 625

Small yet brave enough to travel on her own, the young woman approached and came closer until only ten meters separated the both of them. The wandering medic, at least that's what she claimed to be, introduced herself as one Marabelle Blossom, simply making a detour in the Land of Wind on the way to her intended destination. "Welcome to Sunagakure, or what it once used to be, my name is Shogo" the young swordsman answered in return. Paying close attention and listening to the female visitor's words, the Freya warrior gave ear to her wishes to trade and gather supplies while making a small stop.

Having no ties or connection to the village, Shogo had no reason to refuse her request or stop the woman from entering. He had no authority nor did he plan on putting in a claim whatsoever, at this point it was simply about doing the right thing. "I'm sure the people would love to see a new face, especially if it means they might booster the economy, god knows this place needs it". The Freya swordsman wouldn't share too much or delve too deep into the matter, the lack of shinobi would eventually be something Marabelle picked up on. Regardless, rumors should have spread as well as the news of Sunagakure's demise.

Still maintaining his posture, Shogo spoke up once more. "Feel free to enter, I will guarantee safe passage through the village". Even if her stay was only temporary, it would at least be reassuring she could go about her business without having to worry.

(WC: 262, TWC: 670)

After walking and giving a rundown of her current situation, Marabelle gave an affirming nod upon hearing Shogo's kind welcome. "It is nice to meet you Shogo-san. I will be just a quick moment inside." She declared seeing no point of contention from the vagabond equal. The comment about the village's economy was an unfortunate thing to hear about. Knowing how villages rise and fall, perhaps it was only a matter of time, and actual interest, before Sunagakure rose once more as a village its history would indicate it as. Being stranded in the middle of the desert without supplies was a rough situation and if they were on their last legs then any boost to the economy would be loved by the remaining residents.

She proceeded to walk forward and once she was a few meters away she would bow towards Shogo and then bow towards the village. "Thank you for your hospitality." She said softly before proceeding forward into the village to restock her medical supplies for the remainder of her journey. She had a few stops left to make before her final destination but that was not a big woe for the wandering medic. Walking the streets inside Sunagakure no Sato it was clear and evident that the village had fallen. No distinct indicators were present to show the shinobi force was strong and in fact, Sunagakure's symbol seemed almost replaced by Konohagakure no Sato's. The shift and change in leadership was something that Marabelle was not quite sure about the overall situation that led to the final result but once she found a shop with the supplies she made her purchase and offered her services for a bit before returning to the gate to move along to her next destination.

When she arrived at the gates once more, she peered looking for Shogo to discuss a bit more of what had transpired. Should the vagabond at the gate have remained there, Marabelle would wave and approach him once more this time stopping closer to converse with the man. "It seems what you've said has a harsh degree of truth behind it. I had a feeling this didn't quite happen overnight." She said before looking back at the village. "This is truly a sad sight to see... I hope the plans I've put forth will help prevent or even support against situations that lead to this." She said before looking beyond the gate towards her next destination. There was a port towards the southeastern side of the land that would take her to her next stop. There was always a next step for all those thoughts that the young Blossom had and it weighed heavy on her mind as she looked between the two contrasting pieces and then out towards the rest of the mainland. It looks to her that there was a large amount of work needed to help make her dreams come to fruition. Her eyes did not falter as she spoke through the concerns.

WC: 500, TWC: 1,100

As the female Blossom entered the village, or at least what was left of it, Shogo remained at the gates keeping guard in case a not so welcome surprise would show up. While Marabelle went on her little shopping trip, the Freya swordsman stayed back, hopefully giving the citizens of former Sunagakure a sense of safety. Even though he wasn't a Land of Wind native, the mercenary felt like it was the right thing to do. With both weapons close to his side, the Vagabond continued to overlook the surrounding area, giving the kunoichi plenty of time to return from her business inside.

After a while, Shogo could hear someone approach from the village, it came as no surprise that the footsteps belonged to none other than the Blossom visitor. "Got everything you need?" the Freya swordsman turned around facing Marabelle, referring to the various goods and materials the young woman brought with her. During the kunoichi's shopping spree she was able to have a look for herself, witnessing the current state of the village in the process. "I only arrived after the Sunagakure forces had already withdrawn from this place, leaving it and everyone inside vulnerable to the likes of rogues". The green haired Vagabond then went on to explain how he felt like it was his responsibility to take care of the criminals terrorizing the innocent, briefly becoming a sword of justice for those seeking help.

As he noticed how her eyes peered into the distance, Shogo couldn't help but wonder what Marabelle meant when she mentioned some plans that were put forth. "I take it those involve changing the world?". Even though the young Blossom wouldn't be the first person to have such dreams, the Freya knew that sometimes it would take no more than something like that to shake things up.

(WC: 305, TWC: 975)

Marabelle listened intently to the words the man spoke before her in response to her own commentary. It was clear that Sunagakure had seen better days and eventually, hopefully at least, it would rise again as a prominent village but the support was presently not there for the village to succeed. Though the stories and tales of its fall was not something readily available in her mind, the justification or reasoning was less impactful than the result that was seen before her. A village on its last legs, struggling as an outpost to wary wanderers and not home to a land's own shinobi force. Her focus moved from the faraway lands of future ventures and back to the Freya Swordsman before her.

Hearing how he remained and stayed was a valiant trait in someone nowadays and one that Marabelle appreciated greatly to have encountered the man on her journey. She adjusted her waistband to pull her sword, scabbard and all, before she spoke once more raising the katana to be parallel to the sand below them as it shifted. "My sword is a sword that will clash against those who seek to prey upon the weak. It will cut down what comes forth against my wishes and will be the tool to achieve my dreams." She gave a resolute nod before putting it back in place, her gaze rising from her hilt to meet Shogo's should he be looking at her eyes. "It is a fine blade for a protector, but what kind of sword is yours?" She asked wanting to gauge the man before her. His intent and desire to help out Sunagakure after its fall was admirable but she was more curious what his response was, though his merit was more than enough for her to want to expand her thoughts openly with the fellow swordsman.

"I am a medic by trade but my clan is also known for their blades. Our blades have always been intermixed as one of protecting others and raising our own to new heights. My immediate family may have settled across the world in the Land of Bean Jam but I seek to help unite those who can and keep records of those who tried. Changing the world can not be done alone so I have my sister gathering other ronin and vagabonds of the land to work together to work as almost a neutral party to go to aid those in need and keep the history of all that has transpired. The world should know the pains of the past so as to not repeat them. At least that's something I believe. I on the other hand recognize that a random assortment of people are unlikely to move the shinobi villages towards a brighter future but if I were to help raise a village to new heights under the same belief of peace and protection, then perhaps I can also influence the others and change the system from outside and from within." She declared with no hesitation or reservation for the words she spoke. The sheer idea was almost antithetical to the idea that most villages have to contend with as the other villages were not only potential threats but competitors of the lands they resided in.

She knew well that the ideas being proposed were wild to consider but they were her own and the fact that her sister agreed meant that to some extent others believed in her. Seeing as Shogo defended a village he was not tied to was more than enough to justify her willingness to share such a drastic dream in the world of Shinobi. "I am no fool to think the world would be better without Shinobi or vagabonds, but I want to help bring the world to a better place where pushing others down to rise is not the way to help improve one's populace." Marabelle declared before turning to Shogo, "Should you find your tenure here as a Gate Guard over you're more than welcome to join me in my ventures. Be it with my sister leading others who wander and are learning or with me directly to help elevate a village to begin making changes and shifts to the system to help the betterment of others." Marabelle adjusted to put her sword back on her hip to be ready should something occur which she had doubts about but anything was possible. Now with all discussed and brought up, she awaited his response eagerly.

WC 750, TWC: 1,850

Paying close attention, Shogo listened and watched attentively as Marabelle drew her sword, pulling the weapon out of its scabbard before describing what the blade stood for. "Mine is one of justice, aimed to be used with honor and selflessness". He wasn't the hero people would write and sing songs about for many years after his death, but the young Freya never hesitated once if it meant doing what needed to be done. To cut down who and what would generally be considered evil, a noble thing for someone who claimed not to be a knight. But even the swordsman knew that without darkness, there would be no need for light.

The female Blossom continued to share her dreams and hopes of creating a better world, mentioning how she wouldn't be alone in said endeavor thanks to the help of her sister. "My clan's main focus is also around the art of weaponry, but I developed an interest in medicine and other herbs as well". After all, you could never be certain when such knowledge would become useful, especially for someone carrying around a sword. Marabelle went on and emphasized her wish once more, the young woman herself aware it might sound silly to others. Nevertheless, it was still something she would try to achieve.

Hearing her offer, or simply an invitation to join her on said endeavor, Shogo couldn't help but feel honored. "If you'll have me". There wasn't much left for the Freya in the village formerly known as Sunagakure. He got rid of those trying to infect the place, but eventually the people of Wind Country would have to learn and stand on their own two feet. "It's not much, but there are some that are loyal to me, good people I can trust". Far from an army, but who said you needed one to change the world in the first place?

(WC: 315; TWC: 1290)