Homecoming [Village Entry]

And finally the long trek had come to an end. 

It had been over a year since Sakaiza last stepped foot in his frozen homeland. 15 months actually. And the Wretched had felt every minute of it. When he first set out his intentions were to grow stronger, gain a deeper affinity with his heritage, and forge friendships along the way. Although he accomplished each one of those goals, he truly did much more. He learned what the absence of structure could do to a society. He discovered what impure intentions could drive the hungry to seek. He witnessed what evils existed in the world, and most importantly he overcame them. His journeys took him deep into mysterious territory, unearthing the secrets of his clan which empowered him to heights he had never experienced. Throughout all of these experiences he grew as a man, as a companion to Momo, and as a leader. 

His feet effortlessly kicked through the mounds of snow which covered the pathway towards Hyogagakure, a statement of how used to this terrain he was. And although he was confident in Momo's abilities to navigate Jupiter, that wouldn't stop the Shinkou from occasionally turning to check on the pair and even help maneuver the blinded man when he needed to. Nevertheless the trio would push on, prevailing through the climate and the conditions. And even though visibility was somewhat obscured due to the flurry of winds, Sakaiza was able to keenly see through them and make out the illustrious gates of Hyogagakure. As they grew closer, the reality of him being the new Hyogakage sank in.

Now within 10 meters of the gates, its devoted guard Tommy Sinns would make out the trio from his post.  His eyes would widen, as he'd depart from his post and make his way over to Sakaiza. It had been a slow day, as the blizzard rolling in over the next few days dettered travelers. Therefore Tommy's duties had been rather lax. As he approached the trio, he'd extend a closed fist to Sakaiza who would return it with his own. The conversation would mainly be between Sakaiza and Tommy, as Jupiter was still deaf. 

"Sakaiza, it has been awhile since you have returned. Though I am a new member to Hyogagakure's forces, I have been thoroughly briefed of both its and your own status. Tommy Sinns, loyal Gate Guard."

"Hm, thank you for enlisting Tommy. And I am glad you are aware of the situation. This here," Sakaiza would say while motioning his arm towards Jupiter. "Is my friend Jupiter. He is my brother in arms and is in a perilous state. He is rather...different, but he is trustworthy, devoted, capable, and genuine. I trust him with my life, as much as he trusts me with his. And for that, my first order of business is to heal him. Do you know if my friend Travin has made it here yet?"

Tommy would pause, thinking momentarily, before nodding. "Aye, a couple of days ago. I'll send a messenger to retrieve him. As for you two, you're of course clear to enter." 

WC = 521

Jupiter's hands were clasped together to ground his center of mass as he walked, now used to placing one foot in front of the other without having to count his steps. The darkness in his vision and hearing would have been a source for much panic, but coupled with Sakaiza's presence it provided him with a calm embrace where he could forget about his responsibilities until the duo reached their destination. As they walked, the air grew colder with every step. Jupiter could feel the cold air on his skin, and the texture of the cold breath coming out of his mouth. His bleeding had been stopped by the winter bat, and the clotting has subsided. His eyes were back in their sockets, having healed physically, yet his pupils were white and he could not see a thing. His ears no longer flooded with blood, but they were swollen as though he had absorbed a hard punch in both his earlobes. His nose had also healed physically, but he could not smell a thing. He decided that he could not keep relying on his brother in arms to take care of him forever. He had to figure out a way to get better. 

"Heavenly Father, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your grace to heal my eyes, my ears and my nose, and gracefully accept your healing; through the name of our Lord. Amen." Jupiter prayed, then his ear twitched, his brow raised up as he muttered, "Boreas? Why does that sound familiar..." It was a cold whisper in the wind that he wondered if he had only imagined.

When Momo stopped tugging on his hair, the man from old Sunagakure deciphered that the trio had arrived in the tundra. The ice beneath his feet rumbled when the gate guard opened the Gates to Hyogagakure. The feeling was familiar, he remembered how it felt when the archer opened the gates to Sunagakure to allow him to depart over two years ago. It was a jounin who had granted him egress, and a travel token to pair. It felt as though it was only yesterday. Though his ears could not pick up a sound, he could hear the words of the archer as clear as day, “Yeah. Don’t worry about it, enjoy your time while you are out. Here you can have this travel token to help yourself. I have a few extras I did not need. Happy Travels~" He could also hear his own words that preceded the man's gesture of kindness, "I will return in seven days as a stronger man. The strength I will gain will be that of mind, body, and spirit. I will not fail thee, and I will not fail the Hidden Sand. I swear this on my life, and on my death." It haunted him.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Jupiter raised his voice, stopping at the foot of the gates. "Sakaiza, let us pray before we embark on this new chapter!"


He bowed his head and felt the warm embrace of the tundra as he began chanting his incantations.

"Our Father, who rules the North Wind, 
hallowed be thy frozen gust. 
Thy winter come, thy frigid will be done, 
across the tundra, as it is in the heavens. 
Grant us this day our shelter from the snow, 
and forgive us our missteps in the frost, 
as we forgive those swept away by the winds. 
Lead us not into the grasp of despair, 
but deliver us through the cold of the night.
In the name of our Lord and Savior, Amen!"

---

WC: 631

Upon concluding the discussion with Sakaiza, Tommy Sinns returned to his post and sent word for Travin. At the same time he had his hands ready on the control mechanism to unlatch and open the gates for when Sakaiza and Jupiter were ready to proceed inside. In the meanwhile, Jupiter had broken his momentary period of silence by suggesting that the pair of men prey. Momo, who no longer needed to lead the blind man. So the lemur would leap from his shoulder, soar through the short distance between the men, and perch himself coyly upon the Wretched's shoulder. Sakaiza, who had not practiced any religious rituals since prior to Sunagakure's original downfall, was somewhat hesitant. However Momo, who clearly began to grow a connection with Jupiter, nudged Kai on. Sakaiza offered Momo a nod, indicating that he trusted his companion but also that he trusted his friend. He'd bow his head, close his eyes, and reflect upon the governing deities he was aware of within the realm of Hyogagakure.

This prayer, of Jupiter's, seemed to be dedicated to the Lord of the North Wind: Boreas. From Sakaiza's time in Hyogagakure, he was made aware of many aspects of their culture. And Boreas's influence upon it was significant. He was believed to be the entity which governed the winter storms, and represented the duality of the extreme climate of the Land of Snow. He was comforting, yet wrathful. But most importantly, he was almighty and awesome.

What was interesting though, was how well versed Jupiter naturally seemed to be when it came to reciting a prayer on Boreas's behalf. It was almost as if his spirit had been compelled by a driving force, perhaps Boreas himself, which inculcated into him such a divine prayer. It was resonating, meaningful, and concise. Kai listened attentively until its conclusion, silently reflecting upon it even after Jupiter's words came to an end. And when they would, Sakaiza would raise his head and naturally echo an, "Amen."

And it felt good. For once, he did not feel wretched.

When his eyes would reopen, the snow flurry had began to pick up slightly, and the breeze around the men wisped at a noticeably quicker pace. But ironically, it felt warm. Almost as if Boreas' presence had embraced the men for paying him respectable homage. This moment was fleeting though, as the brief period of silence was quickly broken by the footsteps and voice of a familiar friend. His concern was apparent, as it would be difficult to not be alarmed when seeing the state which Jupiter had been in.

"Travin, it is good that you made it here in one piece." Sakaiza would say in a lowered tone, evident that he had been deep in thought. He'd looking over his masked, future compatriot to indeed confirm Travin was in better condition than Jupiter. And then he would continue with a graver tone, which nevertheless conveyed confidence in his words. "This is Jupiter, my brother in arms. Back in Yugakure we were tasked with facing a magnificent beast, and Jupiter made a sacrifice to...neutralize...the beast without killing it. It came at the cost of his eyes, eardrums, and nose. Which is precisely why I had Tommy send for you. Do you think he can be healed to a state where his senses can be restored?"

WC = 558. TWC = 1079

Although Jupiter could neither hear nor see, the vibrant emotions around him painted the empty canvas of his mind with bright and diverse colors. In the silent darkness, he heard rivers flow from different streams, their different hues blending together to form untouched pigments both warm and cold. When he listened, he could faintly make out fragments of the vast depth engraved in the world all around him, and how the different rivers sweeping across its contours coalesced into an endless sea of blue and arctic white. Relief. Happiness. Trust. Curiosity. Awe. Uncertainty. Reverence. Reflection. Urgency. Composure. Will. Empathy. Faith. As he let the waves take him, each emotion struck a different chord, but a deep, resonant arctic blue bass anchored them all. All roads led to Faith. Faith was blue. "An endless road to all possibilities." Jupiter smiled as he ambled towards the open gates and held his chin high towards the light of the Sun. Instantly, he felt the frigid North Wind gale caress his scarred bronze face, brushing his cheekbones with speckles of snow. Whichever way his friend stood, Jupiter turned directly away from him at nobody in particular and spoke in a soft tone, his silver eyes glimmering with light,  "The snow. It's beautiful, Sakaiza. Just like you said."

Jupiter felt the vibrations in the snow as Travin approached him. "Capricorn.. Likes: Snow, People, training, and vacations... Dislikes: Deserts, People, Working all the time" He passively picked up on Travin's quirks with his Sixth Sense skill, and when he stood in front of him Jupiter chuckled. He could feel the Kaguya's body shielding him from the breeze and figured out that he was facing him. If he let him, he would place his hand on Travin's shoulder and give him a warm smile, and a hearty laugh, "Forgive me if I'm a bit disoriented, I can't hear very well. Let's save our introductions for a day when the Lord's grace might heal my ears. Have you ever been to the Desert?"

Sakaiza, well aware that Jupiter was blind, was rather dismissive towards his friend's comment regarding the beauty of the snow. Even though his expression seem appreciative of the wonderous environment which Hyogagakure had to offer, there was nary a chance that he could actually see it to take in its essence. Still though, Kai smiled underneath the cover of his mask, hopeful that his friend would still be pleased with the aesthetic of the Land of Snow after he could see. This was, of course, his potential new home after all. Jupiter then would place his hand upon Travin's shoulder, offering a pleasantry that was characteristic of his typical mannerisms but was rather off topic when asking about the Desert. Kai of course, understood this was Jupiter's attempt to know if the Kaguya hailed from or appreciated the same background that he and Kai shared, but it hardly seemed to be like the time.

And Travin seemingly agreed, as he completely ignored Jupiter's inquiry. Sakaiza would have done the same, due to the priest's current state. Comically, Travin removed Jupiter's hand from his shoulder and attempted to lead the group to the building near the gate. Tommy Sinns of course would allow Travin to enter this station, given Sakaiza's presence and the intention of healing a comrade. The Hyogakage would follow, ultimately landing the group into a decently equipped emergency station dedicated for quick treatments. Kai would take in the characteristics of this room, noting what each drawer and cabinet were labeled to include before standing by Travin's side. Travin already seemed familiar with the layout of the room, suggesting that he had already been introduced to it. Just how, Kai was unsure, but he was approving of it given his trust in Travin.

Sakaiza would break the silence before Travin did. "Travin, let me know how you need me to assist. This is outside my area of expertise, but both Momo and I will help how we can." Momo would chitter in turn, letting both Travin and Sakaiza know he would comply accordingly.

Assuming Jupiter would also agree and follow Travin's instructions, the scene would be set. And so as Travin requested tools, medicines, and whatever else both Sakaiza and Travin would take turns retrieiving it and bringing it to the masked doctor. Eventually Travin would state he wanted to first see if his treatments were helpful to restore the priest's hearing, which seemed like an appropriate milestone to determine if he indeed was helpful. The Second would remain silent, in anticipation of Jupiter indicating that he could hear. Though if Travin had succeed, Kai would be astonishingly impressed.

WC = 440. TWC = 1519

Jupiter complied, walking behind Travin as the trio along with Momo to the Emergency Room. Upon having his hand placed on the table, the man understood what to do next. He sat and then laid back, surrendering to Sakaiza's friend to be treated for his injuries. As he laid there, he could feel the vibrations from the impromptu medic and the Hyogakage enter with him. He felt a hand on his head, and wet sensations in his ears as the drops were placed one by one. At first only faint echoes reached him, distorted and distant, but as the swelling subsided the words carried in the wind became clearer, like clay taking shape under the hands of a skilled potter.

Travin's footsteps as he paced around were sharp and distinct. He made out the sound of wooden shelves being puller and the needles within them clinking against each other. He heard the crumbling of little medicine cards, like the sound of stepping on crunchy leaves in Autumn. When The North Wind blew in through the window and caressed his face, he could hear it clear as day. When he spoke, Jupiter's eyes widened with surprise. He had done it. 

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.." Jupiter mumbled, before sitting up. He turned his head towards Travin, tracing his sounds, then laid back down and let out a sigh. "Then perhaps you didn't stay long enough to understand its beauty. The desert may be harsh, but the heat is just a reminder of life." He would tilt his neck and turn slightly towards Sakaiza, "Isn't that right, Hyogakage-sama?"

---

It appeared as if Travin was some type of miracle worker.

Just mere minutes before the surgeries commenced, Jupiter had been completely without two of his five senses. And after some meticulous work by the Kaguya, Jupiter seemed to demonstrate that he indeed could hear. The priest even went on to comment on Travin's own experiences within the Desert, presumably the Land of Wind. Sakaiza himself was relieved, as this long and treacherous journey to Hyogagakure from the Land of Hot Springs was even more difficult without Jupiter's hearing and sight particularly. So even if the medic could not cure his sight, at least recovering the hearing was a monumental milestone. Interestingly enough, Jupiter's take on the Land of Wind and Sunagakure by extension was a stark contrast with the Land of Snow and Hyogagakure. To Sakaiza heat was a reminder of the Desert which embodied all things he lost through death and destruction. Now, the cold and the Tundra was what life meant to the Wretched. 

Kai, recognizing now was not the time for a debate on philosophy, would simply nod. But before he could say anything, Jupiter would characteristically surprise Sakaiza once more, as he was seemingly aware of Sakaiza's status. He was certain this information was confidential, and there was no way for Jupiter to have that information imparted to him. This was also a newsflash to Travin, who was under the impression that Kai was only a Chunin, something he learned from mingling with the Snow's shinobi. But nevertheless, Kai was not one to lie or dance around a subject. And so, he'd simply reply aloud "Aye" to voice his agreement.

The chit chat would die down, and Travin would get back to work. This time he didn't seem to need Sakaiza or Momo to complete the tasks he was conducting. It seemed less mechanical, and less invasive than what Travin previously did. This time around it was centered around a technique in particular, indicative by the handseals performed and the resulting chakra which emanated from the medic's hands. He'd precede his subsequent actions with a precautionary word of advice. Each word carried the essence of confidence, allowing Sakaiza to simultaneously be impressed with Travin's competency. Of course, assuming it all went according to plan. And while Travin was focused on healing Jupiter's sight and smell, Sakaiza would step out towards the guard tower where Tommy Sinns was. From him, the Wretched would retrieve the Tome of Recruitment. Kai had planned to indoctrinate both men once their medical business had been concluded. Calmly, he would return to the room which Travin had been working in, bearing the mystical book tucked in the well of his left arm. 

His momentary absence meant he would only return in time for hearing Travin suggesting the surgery was complete, and they should grab a drink and a bite to eat. Of course, this would be necessary after the long trek, but Sakaiza would first interject with more pressing matters. Assuming Jupiter's sense of sight and hearing was returned, the Hyogakage would chime in after Jupiter added any comments he had regarding the success of the surgery.

"Excellent work Travin, and I am hopeful that you suffer from no complications Jupiter. Truly, miracle work performed here. But before indulging in any rest or relaxation, there is a matter I need to address." he'd begin. "You two men have been my companions through the Hell of the Hot Springs. We have each gone through thick and thin, and I have come to trust you both quite dearly. Jupiter, I have known you for about a year now, and Travin nearly a couple of months. I have seen enough from each of you to know that I need you by my side. I humbly request you both to join Hyogagakure's forces, by inscribing your name in your own blood within this book I bear. It may seem taboo, but this is a tradition created by our first Kage. And with it, you are sworn to protect the village and it bestows upon you a rank within our forces...." he tried to be thorough in his explanation, without overly verboise. But also, he wanted to reinsure both men that the blood writing was nothing of impure intent. "What say you?"

WC = 716. TWC = 2235