Let it rain

The warm morning sun cast a gentle, golden hue on the village streets as Yama made his way to the market. The air was filled with the mouth-watering scent of strong coffee and freshly cooked breakfast dishes. Yama's heart was filled with satisfaction as he took in the village's energy. He found a quaint cafe with a row of shops and decided to have a hearty breakfast. The air inside was full of the hum of conversations and the aroma of freshly baked goods. Yama took a window seat and eagerly admired the food list. His stomach rumbled at the prospect of a steaming cup and breakfast platter plentiful with eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

He ordered as he considered and looked out the window to enjoy the sun. The cafe was fully booked with patrons who seemed relaxed and friendly, their humorous blather filling the air. Laughter and the clang of metal set the mood in the cafe. Yama felt a wave of comfort wash over him as he thought of how silent and chilly it had been in the desert. His breakfast was served soon, and he enthusiastically began his warm meal. The taste made him grin, and the idea made him feel happy. He realized it wasn't the meal he was pleased with but the memory of simple good feelings. Yama was in the moment as he dined, savoring food as if it were the finest he'd ever tasted. The warm, buttery eggs and excellent pancakes felt terrific in his mouth. He ate till only a few morsels were left, mopping up excess syrup with a fork. Yama felt very thankful to savor such ordinary delights while on a voyage. He felt excited about his future adventures as he looked at the crowd. No matter where he went, he knew there would be things to get used to along the road.

Leaving the cafe's cozy atmosphere and stepping into the village square, Yama saw dark clouds looming on the horizon, twisting and nervously hovering in the sky. The air was full of electricity, and the feeling of expectation was felt not only in the roaring of distant thunder but still. Yama raised his eyes to the menacing sky, straight down his back, and passed his shiver. It was definitely on the way and was such a powerful one. Yama frowned, thinking.
On the one hand, I could sit and wait in the village until the storm passed. On the other hand, it is very tempting to move forward surrounded by the storm. However, the young man knew that getting caught within such a force of nature could end poorly.

The darkening sky opened; the heavens promised chaos and despair as Yama sought refuge from the coming storm. An older man approached him, the lines on his weathered face a testament to the experiences that had smoothed them into his features. There was purpose in his eyes as he lazily extended a hand to him, an unwritten offer to leave the shelter and embark on a fishing expedition before the storm could trap them. Yama hesitated between taking refuge and taking.

However, the look in the man's eyes reminded him of an unwritten schema. An unimaginable amount of untracked seconds separated man and event; it was a moment frozen in time and then an inevitable consequence of time. The nod acknowledged that unthinkable truth, and they followed the older man, who led him to the nearby river. The storm escalated with every passing second, the river calmed the atmosphere around them, and the rumble in the distance lots grew increasingly imminent. They were two men in a river storm, and that was all. But strangeness tied them together. Rain confirmed the vision, and I'm happy to have met the older man. They fished in silence. The fishing lasted only a short time, but they caught quite a few when the storm began to brew. They docked the ship and went on their way.

As he walked through the village, the dark clouds seemed to follow, casting an evil shadow over the peaceful streets. The storm clouds, moving in a fermenting mass, were a precursory warning of the impending storm that would soon be upon them. Increasingly, the wind redoubled with each step and brought the scent of rain and distant thunder. While the storm approached, Yama's gaze fixed on an adoption center on the edge of the village. The building was old, worn, and had never been fixed. There was no way the poor, dilapidated structure would survive the storm and the mighty blasts of wind and water it would bring. What choice did Yama have but to roll up his sleeves and work?

He gathered whatever tools and supplies were available and began repairing the roof and patching the walls left to rot. Hurricanes and rainstorms would come closer, but with a sense of urgency, Yama climbed the roof, balanced on scaffolds on the wall, nailed them, and assured the futures of those who resided in the repairable old shacks. Every hammer struck, joining a board into the wall was a frantic attempt to survive, not one thought spared for himself. However, although the storm approached, the raindrops began to fall; Yama looked back and saw what he had built. It was rusty, unattractive, and worn, but it would more efficiently protect adoptees through the night.

Yama completed the last of the repairs on the adoption center. Then, the winds outside began to howl with greater intensity. They whipped through the village streets with wild abandon, and with each eager burst, debris was sent dancing into the air on a column of chaos by the winds' ravenous power. Yama: he did not heed the warnings of the storm. Once more, he ventured out into the village and saw the chaos increasing around him. With each passing moment, the wind attempted to pull him away, buffeting his clothes and causing his footsteps to falter as he navigated the empty streets.

The storm was increasing, but Yama's determination did not wane. He kept his eyes and ears open as he walked past each building, checking for damages and doing what he could to shore up the people's defenses to brace against the winds' unholy furors. The wind outside continued to howl, the banshee's wail a fierce symphony of terror that chilled Yama to the very bone – but it did not stop him. He kept to his path single-mindedly, and in the storm's hour, he was the sole guardian and sentry. The whisper of his deeds would echo through the village soon after, for in the darkened hours of horizontal rain and dust, a steadfast refusal to waver pred the villagers.

And yet, as the storm raged on, its fury unabated, Yama's heart contracted with a sense of urgency. He realized that the situation was only going to get worse. The fronts of his neighbors' homes collapsed under the onslaught of the storm they had weathered for generations. The walls that had once seemed so solid and invincible were simply no match for the storm's endlessly powerful rage. Yama realized that he could not leave his fellow villagers to face the full power of nature's fury. Drawing upon long-hidden reserves of strength and determination, he mobilized himself. His voice rose above the howling winds as he implored people to leave their homes, find their children, and make their way to the adoption center.

There was no time to lose. Fragmented twigs and whole trees flew through the air with speed unmatched by any living thing, tearing through homes and people alike. Flattened by winds, his family members clung to each other in fear. Yet Yama himself remained calm. Rather than run, he took their hands and guided his loved ones to the adoption center, just as he had led hundreds to safety before. Roughly, they made their way through the streets, covered with tree branches and flooded with rushing water.
Nevertheless, he continued, and when they reached the dryness, they kept going. Finally, when they came to the thick walls of the adoption center, he knew their ordeal was far from over. But surrounded by his people, he continued to lead them. He led them there in the thick walls of his youth's adoption center. He found solace at that moment, surrounded by this community.

In the meantime, the storm had not slowed down and had not escaped into the clouds. Yama still walked, not stopping for a minute and not looking back at the catastrophic balance of nature. Under every wind gust and every leak, he walked, pushed people, and remained with a determined plan until the end. Despite the surrounding turmoil of the impending disaster, he did not succumb to doubt and despair. He clenched his teeth and worked to secure the victims.

Every resident of the case he met on the way was greeted with a desperate hand to pull her away from the ruthless safety of the flooded city streets. Yama persuaded them to finish the way to the accident center, surrounded them with ris, ked mudslides, and wooden pieces, and pushed his path to safety. Although, he would say, his vigilant discipline and courage played sharply – he showed several more to follow suit. As the last curly-yellow sun went down – Yama gathered the remaining community members with pride in his heart. While the rains poured down and the gales roared outside, they stood united in unity against the brutal nature from within sturdy walls. Yama was now a hero and a leading light who helped his people in a dangerous time. And when the sunset in the cool morning, Yama and his supporters gathered again for another day of danger and destruction.

Without a hint of fear or hesitation, Yama courageously stepped out into the storm as it howled and raged with unparalleled savagery, fueled only by his love for the tiny creatures within its clutches. Each step he took through the battering wind and relentless rain was measured by a scan of hopelessness, looking for signs of life in the wake of the storm. Yama's sharp eyes – honed by years spent in nature – spied a group of small animals huddling together as they quivered in the rain. He bounded towards them, careful and swift, and gathered them into his arms to shield them from the worst of the storm. Clutching his newfound allies, Yama ran through the storm, his eyes set on finding clemency amidst the chaos in the storm's wake.

The storm's powerful howling and pounding thunder were only a backdrop as Yama bore the tiny creatures to safety with a leaden heart of responsibility. Finally, he arrived at a nearby barn where the animals would be protected from the storm. He laid them down in a comfortable grouping of warm, dry hay, and they rewarded his kindness with chirps and mewls of joy and appreciation. The storm continued to wail and crash outside, but inside the barn, Yama stood sentinel over his new allies. It was a post of fulfillment, purpose, satisfaction, and contentment – despite the danger and destruction outside, it was a small haven from the storm, a place of life.

As the storm raged outside, Yama did his best to keep watch within the shelter's confines as he cared for the small animals. The young man seemed focused and unwavering even as the howling winds and pounding rain gave short respite, trying to dislodge every tree in its path. All the while, Yama was a constant amid chaos, ensuring that the already-sheltered animals were anything but comfortable. Even so, the fury was far from over, yet the young man, the makeshift keeper and the cared, had now found solace at the place. With no sign of hope that the fury would end, there was still a sign of hope inside the barn.

The night's fury still raged on as Yama determined he could stay inside the barn, knowing he was doing it for a cause. His eyes noticed seconds apart, and just as the night tore on and the storm began to wane, he was relieved. The young man knew that signs of the storm would be evident even before the calming morning came. However, he was humbled to see that even the only wrathful hands of the storm could not bring down the barn and destroy all hopes for those inside. Just as the morning light dawned to signal that the storm was over, Yama watched as everything went back to normal, renewed from the ashes.

In the aftermath of a great storm running through the village like a wild beast with free rein, Yama Kokoro seemed to be a veritable stronghold of strength and hope for the wretched occupants. It felt like the storm had lost fury over the village; a series of uprooted trees, torn-off rooftops, and streets littered with remains bore witness to its cruelty. The smell of rain, mixed with the scent of despair, hung thickly in the air. The hamlet's residents peered across, their lives shattered, and flotsam and jetsam of their homes and businesses sprawled across the terrain. Yama had experienced many genuine and metaphorical storms, leaving him well-equipped to cope with this much.

The same power that had brought him victoriously from a slew of battles served as a bastion of encouragement to those who had lost everything. He launched and cleared paths and roadways from massive chunks of timber and metal like kindling, and leisure returned as supplies trekked in, and construction began anew. While he labored, he imagined the individuals who beheld him with dazed and numbed eyes yet retained a stubborn core of perseverance that thrilled him. He thought of Akaime, wondering how he would feel about such an act. Would he believe it attractive? Boring? There was so much about that mysterious man that he didn't know yet. An instance of affection, a fixed support, encouraged him to assist these inhabitants.

In another part of the village, a family knelt before what had once been their home, a small child cradling a tattered toy that was all that remained of their belongings that the storm had not taken. Yama walked to their side, his heart softening as he knelt to look the child in the eye. He gently cleared the rubble and refuse from their land, stopping once he had achieved a clean canvas on which they might build anew. Though his actions were small, they were a light in the darkness, a palpable reassurance that while the storm was strong, the ties that bound them were more substantial.

The day they continued in such fashion, Yama moved from one task to the next with unending energy. Repairing the well so that the villagers would have water once more – propping up one corner of the schoolhouse so that the village's young might continue to learn – with each kind act and each moment spent helping others, he felt a connection to the town, to their shared past and future. As the sun descended below the horizon, turning the city into shades of gold and stark shadows, the people gathered in the center of things, standing firm in unity and thankfulness. As much as they had lost, their spirit was undimmed, and Yama stood among them, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.

In particular moments in the evening, surrounded by the villagers, sharing stories and food in the warmth of a communal fire, Y's thoughts inevitably drift to Akaime, to the love that connected them. Despite the darkness and the barbarian, they shared the possibility of tomorrow and life. Yes, the journey ahead would be long, complex, and uncertain. But with his bond, strengthened by their love and the human spirit, Yama knew they would overcome any obstacle and bear any burden.

The evening passed, the village basked in the muted glow of fires, and the camaraderie of its people began to accept the fragile peace. The villagers' labor throughout the day laid the foundation for healing, and while the journey slated for the future was long, the sense of purpose felt everyone whole. They would rebuild and do it together, stronger and more united than ever. Among the conversing villagers, Yama Kokoro stood tall amid the flickering lights. His strength had helped the people, and his labor, from clearing stones to hammering walls, had mended more than the stone and the woods. It became a part of the village, his spirit in everyone who had lost everything. Night fell and began falling when Yama realized his job was not done. His heart hardened with the resolve of a man of honor, prepared to bring his strength and put his heart to good. The village's future remained ahead, but Yama would stay here no matter how long it took.
In the quiet moments before he slept, his thoughts again returned to Akaime. He imagined the man listening as Yama shared the stories of the day, of failure and success, despair and hope found. He even saw how the man's eyes would shine with pride, and his arms would be warm as they wrapped him in an embrace. Yama knew that the experience was only going to crystallize the bond they already shared, and it was something he was already eager to experience. He wanted to be back at the man's side, but he knew that he needed to be here, waiting for now, helping this community to arise from its ashes. The next day, Yama was up before the sun, ready to help in any way he could. The village was alive, and its people were excited to see the work they had already done and excited about what they could do.

Yama was a constant source of strength to them and aided them in whatever way he could. He worked hard with them, encouraged them, and laughed with them. It was clear to everyone that he was dedicated to their cause. From there, the village began to get stronger. They fixed their buildings, placed more trees, and cleaned the streets of the last remnants of the storm. With each progress, it was easier to forget the storm, and the village was more whole. Finally, his time here was over, and once again, farewell had to be said. The looks on the people's faces were so much different from when he had first arrived and bid them welcome. They gave him gifts of appreciation, but the natural gift was knowing he had made a difference.

With a heart full of memories and a spirit buoyed by the love and resilience he had seen, Yama Kokoro began his journey back to Akaime. He had the stories of the village, the lessons for them, and the unwavering belief that, where there was togetherness and resilience, he and Akaime could become a formidable force of life. His return to Akaime would be happy and full of celebration of life and love. Despite the conflicting aspects, they learned they could face anything, brave any storm, and grow stronger.

Early in the morning, with the first rays of sunlight concealing the ravaged village, Yama Kokoro was ready to leave where he had come to help its people to the older man's hut. The man shuffled up to him with slow, apologetic steps. Each of his steps could paint a story of a thousand paths walked in this village throughout his life, a million thoughts on the various morals that ebbed and flowed within the land. Wrinkles carved out his ancient complexion like cracks in weathered parchment.

Each told a story which, in some form or another, carved themselves into lines of laughter, sorrow, and lost youth. His eyes contained a different glimmer. They were bright and warm, with an undertone of wisdom and thanks that no words could ever say. He consoled the traveler without speaking a single utterance, nothing more than the faint clinking of spurs in the dust of the ruined village that surrounded them. The words in those grimy eyes found their place, an understanding that flowed between the two like notes played on the strings of a harp. At that moment, the traveler and the elder of distance peaks and hidden valleys understood just a little of the other's shoes. WWith a slight swing of the head,, the elder conveyed the message he had ever since the last sun's rise, has been searching for Yama, asking him if he wanted to go — fishing. For Yama, it was not the act of fishing, finding meditation, focus, or just the fact that it would be a quiet morning, close to something more fully alive, that made him smile.

Together, the two walked to a river that had flowed past, having witnessed the ebb and flow of the village over the centuries. The river's gentle chuckling and the sound of the leaves accompanied their casts, and the simple act of fishing turned into a shared experience. By the river, the older man continued to teach Yama. He learned patience, to live in the moment, and the power of tranquility and calm. For Yama, every swing of his fishing rod was a meditation, a reflection on his path and the path that awaited him, full of love. The hours burned into minutes, and the rest of their village melted away as Yama's thoughts focused on the river. All he heard were its waters and the birds that followed its ebb and flow, and all he saw was the playful dance of light on its surface and the company of his old mentor.

Yama would carry the river in his chest, a well of cherished memories, and the kindness of strangers was an act of faith. The river was an unforgettable treasure, a message from the universe on the kindness of strangers and the ability to share moments of connection. When they parted ways, he and the older man shared a hug that spoke volumes and thanked each other as they did not need many words. They had done the same fishing, and no word could capture their experience better. They were comrades. Yama journeyed on, but he would always think of the older man, remembering the fierce peace he evoked, and see a symbol of kindness in the universe.

As he finished with the fishing, his time in the village drew closer to ending. But there was one final task that called to his heart before he could go. The small adoption center, the one that he had tried to reinforce before the storm, had taken a significant amount of damage during the storm, so he was wanting to make sure that it was in good shape before he left.

Moved by the plight of the center and understanding the crucial role it played within the community, Yama set his sights on repairing the damages. His approach was methodical and careful, ensuring that each repair not only restored but also strengthened the building, making it a more resilient haven against future adversities. His hands, so accustomed to the rigors of battle, now worked with a different kind of determination, driven by a profound sense of duty to protect and rebuild.

Yama started with the roof, the building's most critical point of vulnerability. He replaced the torn shingles and reinforced the structure, ensuring it would stand firm against the elements. His work continued down the walls, patching up the cracks and breaks, sealing the adoption center from wind and water. With each nail driven and board placed, Yama poured his strength and care into the building, embodying the spirit of restoration and hope.

When he had finished with the repairs, he would step back and admire his handiwork, proud of what he was witnessing, and he hoped that it would provide a home for those in need for a long time to come. But with his work done and the storm passed. He resolved himself to leave the village, and head towards Tsukigakure.

WC: 4007
TWC: 4007
EXIT

Claims:
Completion of 1 B rank mission and 2 E rank missions
+8k Ryo
+40 AP
Current AP Bonus: 839

WC Claims
+160 AP

Resulting AP bonus = 1000 (maxed out)