Hidden Mysteries in the Land of Waterfall

[Karma]

Having just received the rank of genin, Karma thought he would celebrate by going for a walk outside of the village. To view the land he was the protector of now. He was a mix of excitement and concern. He had worked hard to get to this point and had spent so much time training, but at the same time he wondered what the future had in store now that he had made it this far.

His tousled red hair swayed ever so slightly as he made his way along the path outside of his village. It was unsafe to venture far from the guiding lampposts. To do so would surely lead to one being lost in these densely packed woods. That didn’t mean he was safe though. Every time he left the village he had his standard supply of ninja tools (Kunai attached to his right thigh, bo shuriken just above his left buttocks, tanto secured opposite of the shuriken, and a scythe he had picked up not too long ago strapped to his back). Not to mention his garb, just his black shirt and pants. His clothes were relatively worn at the seams and had some scuff-marks from training.

Then he spotted an opening in the tangle of trees. "I've never seen that before," Karma thought. He left the path to investigate this opening. He looked behind himself and, conveniently, there was a lamp on the road just meters from the opening. Still, Karma grabbed a kunai and sunk it deep into the trunk of one of the trees that made the opening as he passed through the gap. It was a tight squeeze; he could feel the bark scraping against his clothes. Pushing through he found himself in a clearing with a pond. The pond was no more than 5 meters in radius with some shrubbery speckled about its boarder. The canopy held tight 10 meters above where he stood and looking out it seemed like the area was 25 meters out by 20 meters across, a quaint little alcove amidst the forest. Taking a few steps over the dewy grass Karma made sure he could still see the kunai he left, "Still there." Karma continued forward focused on the pond and contemplating its formation.

[Deleted]

Blight is huddled inside his jacket and wearing his winter black gloves on. Cold water seeps into his shoes, stealing the heat from Blight soles just as fast as the wind rips off his face. Cold wind licked at his face and crept under his clothes, extending to Blight skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach. Blight looks around for a hotel somewhere around here to help him stay warm. The image of a warm room and a soft bed is heaven.

His wings close to his body underneath his jacket, trying to keep warm. His clothing cleverly hides his abnormalities. For once, his fur patches are released to help stay warm but normally retracted. The one thing that cannot be concealed however is his eyes. His eyes are red with a hexagon pattern of a fly. He comes across a pond and becomes conscious he took the wrong direction. He clicks his tongue and curses under his breath at himself. His hot breath visible into the cold air as his body shakes from lack of warmth. Cold air seeps through his clothing and feels like a blade cutting off the skin. “I hate the cold, I hate the snow.”

He looks up and sees a young male up ahead. Blight throws away his male pride and decided to ask for direction. He casually approaches the man and wave at him for his attention. “Pardon me, do you know the local hotel is?” Blight takes a minute to himself and asks, “Also, got any smokes?”

[Karma]

Startled, Karma hadn’t even noticed the man approach until he spoke. And what a curious man, Karma knew it was cold out but this stranger seemed to be affected by it more than the average man. With his clothes wrapped so tightly around him this made Karma unconsciously wrap his own jacket closer to himself. Then he noticed, tilting his head, that this man had peculiar eyes. Not to visibly shocked, he did take a second longer to reply then was courteous, “Oh.. erm yeah. The Village of Waterfall is a short walk south of here. Or you can continue to the north and there is a trading town. I would be happy to lead you to either...” Though that wasn’t all he wanted to say. He contemplated holding his tongue, but he knew that knowledge wasn’t gained by being quite. When the curiosity in him was too much to hold he quickly added on, “You have strange eyes. Is this because of a kekkei genkai or is it a curse? Perhaps just surgery for combat advantage…?” He trailed off.

“I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’ll show you to some place warm.” Karma then half turned and looked back at the man as he began to walk towards the exit he had marked with his kunai. “And I don’t, have any cigarettes that is. Too expensive of a habit for my blood.” Karma says this as he pulls at his frayed shirt and smiles. There seems to be a warmth to his smile that is contrasted by the cold of the winter air.

[Deleted]

The young man looks up and seems taken off guard by Blight usual eyes. Most people get caught off guard by his eyes, so he's not surprised. The man takes an extra second to speak but once he does, he’s proven to be quite chatty. “Hm, then the trading town. I do not deal with ninja villages.” Blight doesn’t desire to enter a hornet nest for a trade such as Blight. No doubt the village become hostile and he be surrounded once news spread of his arrival.

The young man could not help himself and ask about his eyes. Blight takes a moment to think about the question. It a whole origin story of himself that is not simple to explain. “Let’s just say both.” Blight follow directly behind the man who has yet to name himself. The cold snow and the wind steal heat from Blight every second. The winter leaches away a few more fractions of a degree to take him closer to hypothermia.

The young man informed Blight he had no smokes. To him, the habit is too pricey for him. “Damn it, I could really use some smokes right now. The taste of nicotine, the heat from the burning cigarette.” The thought of smoking warm his bones just a bit. “I could kill someone for one right now.”

[Karma]

As Karma leads them back onto the lighted path a sudden realization hits him, "Oh you know what, there is actually an inn not to far from here. It is used for travelers. It's right between that trading outpost and the village." Karma turn to look at the man, "Also I didn't introduce myself. My name is Karma. Nice to meet you." 

Leading the man down the path Karma can't help but notice how cold it has gotten. As he exhales his breath breath becomes visible. Karma slipped his hands into his pockets. It wouldn't be a long walk. "You really seem to like cigarettes. I believe the inn should have some. Though, I am curious, what brings you all the way out here?" Karma was genuinely curious what would bring this man out here, especially with how much the cold seems to bother him. To travel in weather like this, someone must have some sort of goal or plan.

[Deleted]

The young man mentions there is an inn not too far from here. Blight releases a deep sigh in relief. The sooner he can get out of the cold the better, he thinks to himself. The young man had mentioned his name, informing his name is Karma. It’s an odd name, but Blight name is also weird. He mentally shrugs himself over the name. “My name is Blight.”

Blight hopes the inn will not be too much longer to reach, the sooner a fly can get out of the cold the better. The two men footprints disturb the winter sheet. Each step, they leave a mark in the virgin white snow. “It’s a habit I never thought I pick up. I was born sick and frail, never would I imagine being able to smoke.” Blight reveals a fraction of his background. “Would you believe I had hoped it be warmer from the land of fire?”

[Karma]

Karma was a little surprised by the man stating he use to be frail. Sure he was extra effected by the cold but he didn't give the appearance of frailty. "Is that why you became a fly person? To combat your frailty?" Karma would understand if the man didn't want to talk about it. He focused on the crunching of the snow beneath his feet now. It wouldn't be long before they got to the inn. For the best, as they passed a lamp lighting the trail Karma noticed that the sun was beginning to go down.

"It shouldn't be far, just around this next bend in the road." As the two rounded the road a few lanterns marked the distance between the men and the inn. It wasn't anything special, a two story building with a sign out front reading 'Red Moss Inn.' It takes the men no longer then a minute to make it to the threshold of the in and when they enter they are greeted by warmth and the soft murmurs of the few people inside. 

"Greetings, take a seat at any of our tables. Or just ask me if your seeking rooms to rest in." The two are greeted by the owner of the establishment. A woman with a round face and warm brown eyes and similarly colored hair pulled back in a messy pony tail. There were several open tables and, knowing his companions affinity for the cold, Karma sat at one in the middle of the room.

[Deleted]

“Hm, I don’t remember informing you I’m a fly person.” Last time he checked, the human fly doujutsu is not common, but extremely rare. Blight himself is not one who was naturally born but experimented. Regardless, him making that jump to an unknown doujutsu is odd a bit. Blight has no intention of answering the question, however; it’s quite personal to him.

Finally, the two arrive at the Inn. Blight release a large sigh of relief and can feel the warmth of the building as they get closer. He can hear other people inside. He can hear bits of conversation of murmurs. He can’t make out what they’re saying exactly until he reached inside and focus on a few voices. None of that matter, finally he was inside somewhere warm. His skin slowly regains warmth into his body. He has briefly overheated, his body working overtime to stay warm from being outside in the cold. Blight sat down in a chair with Karma across of him.

Blight open his jacket and let the fresh air hit his body. While his body cools off, anyone can see some sweat dripping from his head. However, it only be brief. “So, Karma, what brought you out of your village?” Blight asked simply small talk as he warm/cool off. The relief on his face is pure magic as he looks around the Inn. Blight wanted to take in the sight and smell of the inn, getting to know his new surroundings.

[Karma]

"Oh my, I'm sorry. It's just the way your eyes are... They reminded me of a fly's eyes and I guess it must have just slipped out subconsciously. I'm sorry about that." Karma was visibly flustered now. He was worried he might have offended the man, calling him a fly person just because of his eyes. That wasn't a fair judgement on Karma's part. He called over the waitress and asked her to bring two drinks to the table, and a pack of cigarettes for his company. 

Then he turned to the man. What was he doing out of the village he had asked. "Oh, and you see I was just going for a walk, as a celebration really. I just officially became a ninja for my village." Karma would raise his right hand and use his thumb to point at this headband tied around his left bicep. A little bit of joy slipped out across Karma's face as he did so. "Then I had found that alcove and was content to just reflect on the beauty of the land. It's a little odd, I know, but it seemed like a nice training ground for someone... of my prowess." There was no pride when he said this. If anything he tried to underplay the words as they came out. Sure Karma had mastered several releases but he was nineteen and just became a ninja. 

The waitress had brought there drinks over to them now and handed Blight a pack of cigarettes. Karma would hand the lady the ryo to cover the cost and sit back as he sipped his drink. "So, I notice you don't have a village headband. Are you not a ninja?"

[Deleted]

Blight eyebrow raise up into the air from his comment. His comment came off profiling and offensive to Blight. He leans up and looks over to Karma. “My eyes are like a fly? A bit racist…” Karma is flustered and asked a waitress to bring over some drinks and cigarettes. Blight could really use some marble right now. “Please Marbles.” He informed the server. It is his prefer brand to smoke for calming down and just feel better in general. The female server nod and leave the two be.

Blight nod to Karma, informing him he was out celebrating from becoming an official ninja. So their meeting at the pond minutes ago was chance meeting. If he were not looking for a hotel or anything some kind, the two would have never come across each other here. The young man appears not to have much pride of his ability. “Do you lack confidents in yourself? Most new genins often think highly of themselves. They try to take on something that is too big for them and get killed. So at least you know where you’re weak at and where to improve as a starting point.”

The server brings their drinks and smokes. Blight quickly gets a cigarette out and put it his mouth. He lights it up and feel even warmer and stop his withdraws coming up. He leans back into the chair and just enjoys the taste and puff out some smoke. “Just a citizen of Mo in the land of fire.”

[Karma]

Karma decided the best thing to do was to not try to make things better with his words and end up putting his foot in his mouth. No he would use his actions to make things right. He had not intended for his comment to come out offensive. At the man's comment about Karma's confidence he merely took a swig from his drink. He sat and thought about it for a minute. He didn't think it was a confidence thing, or was it? "I would say it has to be that, as things stand, I only know how to access different nature chakras. I don't know a single release style jutsu. So, against a trained opponent I don't have a deep toolbox to draw from." Karma would chuckle at this point, "Actually, as things go I just know my many limitations. But that's why I train as much as I do. I am planning on working on an earth release soon actually. Something to give me a strategic advantage." Taking another drink Karma's eyes would go distant.

On the other side of the inn however, it seems like someone was getting into it. There were some raised voices and the waitress went over to try and calm things down. Some murmuring happened and some clear frustrations fell over the waitress as she turned and stomped away from the now laughing rabble rousers. 

As she passed by the table Karma got her attention, "Excuse me, is someone causing you trouble ma'am?"

She looked flustered, "No, they are just usuals here. They get a few drink in them and they think they are invincible, they are usually just all talk though. Sorry if it has caused you any trouble. Can I get you anything?" She tries to fein a smile at this point and straightens out her blouse. She would then push her hair behind her ear and go for her notepad.

"Oh no, we are alright. Thank you." With that the waitress went off and continued her duties.
"A shame, that that lot are regulars here. If only there was something we could do." The group at the back of the inn are not eyeing Karma and Blight. Grumbling between themselves about the two strangers to the inn.

[Deleted]

The lad decided not to further put his foot into his point with his eyes. Wise move, Blight was going to pick him and throw him out of the front door. Blight gives him a look and sees him quickly move on from that subject. Bringing up what he’s able to and not able too. It’s a smart move on him to avoid and changing subject. “At your level, it be best to stick to one style and get all of the lower rank jutsu.” His advice is rather basic but good advice nonetheless.

Blight looks over and sees some trouble going on. Blight is right away annoyed with them himself. For the moment, he does nothing about it. If perhaps they make too much noise or come over here, he have to throw them out. “If they keep making trouble, I’ll personally throw them out for being annoying.” He says as a matter of fact.

[Karma]

Almost like dominos falling into place, the group of rabble rousers begin to sing (quite badly) near the back of the inn. The song is about how they are going to get lucky tonight whether by chance or force. Far too obscene for this quite little inn. Karma would clench his fist so tight his knuckles were white. He wasn't sure if It was his place to... No, he was a ninja now. A protector of the Land of Waterfall. 

In his new sense of pride he would stand and turn, but almost as quickly as he did, the group stared him down. "Aye, you look like you have a problem kid," Came a bulky man from the group. "Ye got somethin to be provin, or do you just mean to stare at us?" He went on. Karma was stunned for a moment. This was a group of what looked like 8 rogues and he was but one ninja. He closed his eyes and calmed himself. 

"Kicking you guys our of here wouldn't be proving much of anything. By the looks of it, the only reason they let you stay here is because you'd be sleeping in a pigsty otherwise. So why don't you quite down and let everyone enjoy your evening?" Karma surprised himself a little when he was done. He wasn't use to making such bold statements. But he liked it. He knew he wasn't a push over, and if worse came to worse he had Blight on his side.

Unfortunately, the gang wasn't so impressed by Karma's little speech and all sat up. "Okay mister big shot," came a woman near the large man, "why don't we take this outside? We'd be more than happy to beat the paste out of you. Yeah, you look fresh out of the academy to me. Must be all high on being a ninja. But you wouldn't be the first we took out." She sneered and let out a bellowing laugh right before chugging her beer. The group began to move forward with intent to grab Karma and pull him outside to fight. Karma didn't wait around for that though, he was already making for the door. Better to handle this outside, then potentially ruin any of the inns tables and the like. He glanced back at Blight before exiting the inn, "Joining the fun?" Karma gave a half smile. 

[Deleted]

Blight begin enjoying his drink and cigarette. Blight orders some food and his natural color of his skin return from the warmth of the Inn. He would be completely relaxed if not for one thing that was bothering. The morons in the back of the Inn are singing and their voices are terrible. However, as terrible it is, they’re not doing anything wrong. Blight face shows annoyed and frustrated.

Apparently, one of the guys come over and begin making trouble to Karma. Karma is also annoyed but showing restraint. Maybe it the pride of a ninja that stops him from doing, Blight is not sure. Karma appears to hit his limit and speaks back against them. With their numbers, it might be too much for Karma to handle at his current level ability.

They all go outside and Karma turns to Blight with a half smile, asking him if he was going to join in the fun. Blight not the type to bully others that are weaker than he is. This entire incident is childish but unless he goes out there with him. He might get badly hurt. He puts out his cigarette and gets to his fight. “Very well, I’ll end it quickly before anyone can get hurt and create too much trouble.” He follows them out of the door and steps out into the cold air.

While they're outnumbered, this is completely unfair. He can sense these guys is your run of the mill thugs. Perhaps too drunk to realize what they’re doing. Just as they move to attack, Blight pulls his sword out and spins it in a circle at the guys. The men stop moving. Blight turns around and heads back inside to his table with his sword safely put up. The men are stunned and begin puking their stomach up. It was a messy finish, but no one has gotten hurt. “Don’t allow your pride as ninja stop you to do something. You are a ninja, not a police officer. But, you should also learn how to tell if someone much stronger than you and avoid battles you can’t win.”

[Karma]

Karma was surprised. It took Blight less then a second to handle the entire group of thugs. Karma knew that he had a ways to go before he could call himself strong. Many days, no, years of training ahead of him but even so he never quite imagined that level of power. Karma hadn't seen what it was Blight have even done. Though, after the men began to heave their dinners, Karma knew they wouldn't be trouble and went back inside. 

Karma pulled out his seat and sat down exasperated. He took in Blight's words and reflected on them for a minute. Surely this was a wise fellow who was humble with power. A good example. Someone that Karma could learn a lot from. In the flickering light of the inn Karma sat forward and cupped both hands around his mug. It was quieter now so Karma didn't have to speak so loud as he said, "Blight, you seem like a wise man. As well, I feel our meeting may not have been quite as chance as it seemed. I was wondering if..." he pauses. Looking up at Blight, "I was wondering if you would take me under you wing, as a pupil. To learn under." 

[Deleted]

Blight continues to eat his food, by the time begin speaking and asking if he could take him under his wing, his mouth full of food. The question takes him off guard as he almost chokes on his food. Blight reaches over and grabs his drink to wash his food. “My pupil?” Blight not sure how to respond, he never thought about having anyone as a student or anything before. Plus, he’s not sure if the kid is serious or not. He leans back and rubs his chin a bit, thinking about it.

After much consideration, he takes out his cigarette and begins smoking. “Maybe, but only if you can prove to me you’re serious.” Blight sit there, thinking how to test the kid. A few ideas come to mind on how. “Even if you pass the test and I begin training you. I will not tell you what to learn or anything. I am more of an on hands kind of person. At most, I can maybe teach you my style of fighting.” Blight takes blows a puff of smoke. “Even then, I recommend you turn it into your own style somehow.” Blight leans in his chair and come up with the perfect way to test him. “I’ll take you under my wing if you do four c rank missions and give me the money for it.”

Blight is nowhere near broke; he can buy anything that is selling in the shop. He can buy a sword and turn it into the baddest blade in the world with his funds. No, the money is not what this about. He has seen ninjas giving up early on. They tend to waste his and other people time. “That is all you got to do to prove it to me.”

[Karma]

As far as a test this was surely practical. Karma would have to do C rank missions regardless of being Blight's pupil or not. Then there was giving him his ryo for these missions. Karma knew that this was just to make a point. If he was going to be training under Blight then he had to show that he trusted and relied on him. Giving credence to his knowledge and wisdom. Or this was a pyramid scheme. Karma had finished his drink at this point and requested another one from the waitress as she passed by. 

With a refreshed mug he deliberated. Making sure he wasn't just jumping headlong into a quick decided decision. Regardless, he felt the pro's outweighed the con's. "That sounds like a reasonable enough request. It also seems like you want to foster my strength and not just teach me a technique and leave me to fend for myself. I can appreciate that, it's a good sign. I'll do that. Though..." Karma paused, "where will I be able to find you or get a hold of you once I finish this task?"

Karma knows that Blight can't just follow him around as he trains and gets these missions done. More so the former, there are still some jutsu he intends to learn before he heads out for his first mission. More so, Blight not being a ninja of the his village he can't take him along to do these. Karma drinks his root beer thoughtfully.

[Deleted]

“Here, I’m going to be hibernating from the winter for the most part. “ His tone come off casual and jokingly. However, most likely he will be sleeping a lot during the winter. “If you can complete this assignment, I’ll personal battle test you.” Blight finishes his food and drink. He put his cigarette out and pays for his meal. Blight leaves the table, without saying anything more to get himself a room and rest up.

[Karma]

With that, Karma knew what he had to do. He needed to get stronger so that he could go out and complete 4 missions to prove his worth to be Blight's student. Karma finished off his drink, the suds of his root beer leaving his tongue tingling. He pushed out from his wooden chair, left a tip on the table and started towards the door. As he made his way he noted the quiet mood of the bar, the patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves more now and were holding personal conversations with one another.

Karma pushed open the wooden door with his palm He walked through out into the cold winter's eve. Pulling his jacket closer to him he kept walking until he was obscured by the gently falling snow.

-End-