Frozen Door - The Gate of Yukigakure

[Lord of Cold]

Frozen Door, The Gate of Yukigakure

For a long time, Yukigakure has been a large and open village. Unfortunately, in recent years the population has declined severely, the quality of ninja has fallen, and the ability of the village to maintain its old borders has been lost. As a result, much of the exterior of the village has been evacuated. Everybody who does not depend upon large amounts of land now lives within the small mountain valley that was once the heart of Yukigakure. The previous wall still stands, an old, crumbling and freezing structure, as a testament to what the village once was. However, it is unmanned, and open to any who wish to use it as a travel area. In the past, once through the gates one could use any number of tunnels or passes to get through to the main village. The original intention of the new wall was to use all those tunnel as border points, but the staffing issue proved too great, so the Yukikage’s steward suggested caving in many of the old tunnels, and erecting a wall of ice in the one remaining pass, making a legitimate bottleneck gate that one must pass through. To fly over the mountains would be absurd; they are snowy, stormy, and very high.

The wall was made of stone, and it was then covered with snow pack to make it impossible to climb over. During the summer, especially during the day, the snow pack there begins to melt, but by night it freezes, leaving a slippery sheet of ice, more treacherous each night, where snow once was. By winter, more snow is added, keeping the wall at an equilibrium, if not growing. Snow is one of the few building materials workable during the harsh Yuki no Kuni winters, making it an ideal one for the wall.

The gate itself is wide enough, and high enough, for two men to ride abreast through it. That gate is rarely open, and the smaller personnel gate is opened for the majority of exchanges. But, when the Kage comes riding through with his entourage, or when a merchant comes with goods from the warmer lands, none hesitate to swing wide the gates. The gates are black iron, and often covered with snow and ice. It is a sizable job just to shovel the gates clear, but most merchants and businessmen are willing to contribute to that end, as it is in their best interest to make sure that people are able to enter the village at any time. The gate can be opened by two large cranks, although only one needs to be turned at a time, but that makes it take twice as long, and is a very tiring task.

The gate passes through a wall of snow and masonry upwards of ten feet thick, and halfway through it one can enter the tunnel system within the wall that makes up most of the necessary parts of the gatehouse. The immediate tunnel serves as the guard quarters, and is a stone room with a chimney to allow a fire to burn, to keep the guards from quickly dying of hypothermia. It has windows, looking at the gate as people come in, and arrow slits, looking out into the world, as to better defend against attackers. Up the stairs, one can reach a barbican, which allows a commanding view from which to shoot at unwelcome guests. The barbican, like the guard post, is a simply stone room with wooden furniture, but, unlike the guard post, it does not have a fire, making it a very unappealing spot for guards to stand watch.

The barbican is connected directly to a room made of stone with iron weapon racks and shield racks all over it. This is the armoury, and it is where the guards are allowed to stow their weapons. Despite it being a recently constructed room, the frost has already heaved up many of the stones meant to make up the floor, giving it an overall rugged appearance. It has a tapestry hung in it, a joke by one of the first guards to have to use it. It is a rather lewd picture of a pagan goddess of fertility who is, needless to say, commanding her sphere quite nicely.

Connected here are the barracks, a similarly plain room, made of stone, with a fireplace whose chimney is connected to the aforementioned one to save stone, and 10 or so beds. Despite the fact that this post is designed to sleep ten, it rarely ever does so, and as a result, many of the guards have dragged several beds together, so that they might get a better nights sleep. Or that is what they continuously claim is their reasoning, and none seem willing to testify against that claim.

Across the hall from the entire complex just described there are two entrances to prisons. One is located outside the gate, and one inside the gate. The cause for this is obvious. One is to make sure that prisoners who escape cannot enter the village and wreak havoc there, the other is to ensure that prisoners who escape do not leave the village and become permanently lost to the shinobi of Yukigakure. They are simple cells, with iron bars and manacles and chains. The beds are the same ones used in the barracks, and there is a fireplace, so that they might be kept warm. However, the chimney is poor, and the smoke fills the room quickly if it's run too long.

And of course, behind the gate there is a stable, where the horses of Yukigakure and guests alike are kept. It is a stout building, made using staked construction, and made of wood. It has a stone chimney, but that is the extent of the masonry in this particular building. It has stalls for six horses, and a small room where the keeper of the horses may store their equipment, and where the owners of the horses may store their tack.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gatehouse
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 0.5 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: A house or enclosure near a gateway.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This space usually serves as a primary entrance into the stronghold (or one of many entrances). As its name suggests, the gatehouse includes a gate (and a drawbridge, if stationed adjacent to a moat). Defense can be enhanced with a portcullis. Most gatehouses are fortified with a barbican, guard post, or both.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 5,000 Ryo

Guard Post
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 0.5 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: A small building for the soldiers who are protecting a place.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This component allows guards to keep watch upon the surrounding environs. If part of the exterior wall, it includes free arrow slits instead of a window.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 5,000 Ryo

Armoury, Basic
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 1 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: A basic armoury used to house equipment for 25 soldiers.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Racks of armour and weapons fill this simple room, which has enough space to hold equipment for 25 soldiers (price does not include such equipment. 2 Main Weapons and 15 Slots of Secondary per Soldier). If you need a greater capacity, you can purchase this component multiple times.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 5,000 Ryo

Barbican
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 1 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: This room sites atop a gate or gatehouse, usually in an exterior wall.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This room sites atop a gate or gatehouse, usually in an exterior wall. It features murder holes/arrow slits (included in the price) in the floor, through which the guards can attack those in the area below (little more than a hallway that usually includes a portcullis or sturdy door at each end).
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 10,000 Ryo

Stable, Basic
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 1 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: A building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This rough, wooden structure features stalls for up to 6 Large mounts, a wooden water trough, and hay covering the unfinished floor. Tack and saddles can hang over the dividing walls between stalls. Because of the smell, you’ll want to place the stable far from the main part of the stronghold. If you need a greater capacity, you can purchase this component multiple times.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 10,000 Ryo

Barracks
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 1 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room
Effect: A room dedicated to hold multiple people in a single large room.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This open room contains up to 10 simple wood beds with mattresses. A small footlocker sits at the end of each bed for personal belongings. This component includes a privy, though it need not be attached or adjacent to the barracks itself. A barracks can hold 10 people (usually guards or soldiers). If you need a greater capacity, you can purchase this component multiple times. If you want a higher class of quarters for officers, purchase bedroom components instead.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 4,000 Ryo

Prison Cell
Rank: "C"
Type: Main, Room, 0.5 Stronghold Space, Craftsman Room *2
Effect: A cell in a prison, in which a prisoner is locked.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This cell includes iron shackles on the walls and hay mattresses strewn about. You can shackle up to six Medium-size prisoners in a communal cell. Alternatively, you can replace the communal cell with independent jail cells. In this arrangement, each prison cell component includes two to four small cells each capable of holding one or two Medium-size creatures. If you need a greater capacity, purchase this component multiple times. The standard prison cell comes with six sets of manacles with wretched locks capable of binding a Medium-size creature (May Purchase better Locks). A Small creature takes up half the space in a prison cell as a Medium-size creature. Manacles for Small creatures cost the same as for Medium-size creatures. Tiny and smaller creatures take up one-fourth the space, and their manacles cost 10 times normal. A Large creature takes up twice the space of a Medium-size creature, and a Huge creature four times the space. (Must Purchase Larger Manacles if needed). Generally, you can’t keep Gargantuan or larger creatures in a simple prison cell, though by buying enough components you could get a large enough space.
Limit: Must be created by a Construction Crafter.
Cost: 5,000 Ryo

[Lord of Cold]

As I road along the narrow and frozen road which few knew of, I noticed that the new gate project had been finished while I was away. I rode through the old gates, heading through the ghost town that once had been part of Yukigakure, as well as through the old gate, the huge wall which we once manned and tried to protect from invaders. This new wall was much more senseable, and a guard who was watching from behind the metal grate popped through the personnel door to inspect me. "I am Jorik of Ygnrid. As Lord Yukikage, I request passage through this gate." I was promptly ignored.  He  looked me over, looked at Tundra, and decided that I was in fact the Yukikage. He hollered to the people in the back, and they cranked open the gate to allow me to pass through with my horse. I road through the thick wall of ice and stone, seeing the new passages which had been built. They looked sturdy enough, but I didn't have the time to examine them at the moment. I proceeded to send Tundra into a canter, running him up the streets towards my castle where I would begin to make preparations for the coming storm. I heard mutters as I rode away so quickly, but I ignored them for now. I had important matters to attend to.

[Tomoko Aburame]

Making her way to the gates she inhaled deeply unsure of what to do exactly if combat came her way, after all she was a weaponless shinobi who hid her armband beneath her hoodie. She was practically a civilian besides her talent with trickery of the mind. Perhaps she would run into two giant brothers ready to eat a little girl, perhaps an arrangement of swordsman with fangs like sharks or even an ape child with golden hair ready to share with her a wish. Who knew, but this was her life now and the life of the shinobi was a life of risk, sacrifice and above all duty.

Making her way outward she pondered where to begin, a cafe or a bar would most likely have the most patron's and she couldn't really ask such a thing. Though her Yukigakure headband was hidden by her cloak she decided to take it a step further by buttoning the cloak over her hoodie slightly firmer to hide it further. Right now, she needed to be a civilian not a ninja.

[Exit]

[Lord of Cold]

As I went out, the guard came and inspected me. He was a little less cautious, but still cared about who was leaving the village. Of course, it would be a lot of work to imitate me, Tundra and the Norwegian Fjord who the village owned. So he looked at my face, staring deep into my eyes for a little bit. He poked the horses and the bags with the blunt end of his halberd. Laughing he said "Godspeed, m'lord."

I was too lost in thought for a real reply, but I nodded as the gate swung open. I rode through with the pack horse in tow.  We took off as we went throug the thick snowwy tunnel. It was a warm morning, and already a little water was beginning to trickle off the icy wall. That did not bode well for the wall, but I was sure it would stand. There was a hell of a lot of snow to melt before the thing could be climbed over.

-Exit to Snow

[naru]

[enter from Yuki no kuni]

Naruka slowly approached the tall frozen gates that now acted as the entrance to the village. The village was so undermanned these days, which really left Naruka wondering why so few guards had been posted. As he walked down the large frozen divide, no one payed him any notice. The traveling merchants and villagers payed him any mind as he continued on into the village. "It's been a while..." He muttered queerly to himself as he continued to trod forward to enter the village that would surely be the death of the poor Genin.

[enter]

[Tomoko Aburame]

After that small adventure she was ready to head home, ready to meet with her lord and explain the situation. Her first encounter with a shinobi of a different village had gone well, well, as well as it could have gone.

She was a little hesitant returning to the Yukikage without planting a tracking bug on him, but it was hindsight and sadly she could not change the past.

Returning through those familiar large gates she would begin her trek straight to the Yukikage's office.

Hopefully, he would be okay with what she had gathered. If not, she would just have to try harder next time.

[Exit]

[Tomoko Aburame]

Having completed her mission she made her way back to the Yukikage, ready and eager for another. Maybe, just maybe, she may even be assigned to a team something was a true ambition of hers.

Tomoko felt odd, not accomplished or proud but rather satisfied. She was ready for something grand now, something extravagant. Perhaps she'd be asked to spy on a foreign land or to spy on another, perhaps she'd be told to go and steal something, who knew but she was ready for anything really.

[Exit]

[naru]

[enter from village]

Now retired, Naruka was ready to head out on his journey once more. He felt the weight of leaving his village press down on his chest as he walked along the colossal wall that acted as the villages entrance. Naruka checked his gear as he realized that he would not be returning home to the village. He looked at through his cloak for his 57 senbon, his 4 small vials, and his 2 100ml syringes. His butt bag housed his 5 blood clot pills, his first aid textbook and his wireless radio. His tactical vest housed 80 exploding tags and 1 of his kunai, and his knife holster housed the remaining 4 of his kunai blades. His wineskin was slung over his hip under his cloak and his longsword and short sword hung from his belt as he exited the village. His bandana covered his branch curse mark that was the only reason he was leaving his village. With his mood solemn, Naruka pulled up his hood and quietly walked out into the raging snowstorm, never to look back.

[exit to Yuki no kuni]

[Tomoko Aburame]

[Mission Start]
[Day 1]

Arriving at the gate she was fully prepared to stand watch over the grand city of Yukigakure and though she had no true combat abilities she hoped she could learn a thing or two. Making her way to the stairs that lead to the top of the gates she would find herself counting each cobble as she stepped, the cold never bothered her really she was quite used to it so these two days would prove interesting.

Finding a resting spot she perched herself against a small table on a wooden chair overlooking the front of the door. Looking down below she'd be able to see any incomings and thus began her role as a guard and her first night watch.
Sitting back in the chair she would begin to relax somewhat, in her first few hours having been waiting for someone or something to spontaneously attack, Tomoko's bordom soon grew remembering the lack of shinobi in Yukigakure in the first place.

The skies turned orange as the sun began to set upon the small village with only a candle for her light in the room she tried her best not to drift off to sleep waiting for a sign of some kind of danger or perhaps just anybody. Maybe the Yukikage would return, perhaps bandits or an invading force, maybe even new Yukinin. All she knew was that right now all was well and thus she would be content with such things.

[1/3]

[Tomoko Aburame]

[Day 2]
As she sat a top that wall it seemed like nothing was coming but more quiet and so she began to almost drift off thinking about what she would do if somebody attacked. In fact, what COULD she do? The answer was very little. She understood the basics of Genjutsu but the issue was that, well, she had no concept of how to effectively use it in combat. Sure she could use her Aburame techniques, a tracking bug here and a clone there but the issue really laid on the fact that once she was engaged there was quite literally nothing she could do.

This caused her a lot of worry, nearing shame. What if the Yukikage was under attack? What if the village was overrun. Would she just be a coward and let them all perish with these limited abilities? She considered it. It was likely even that such a thing could happen. Perhaps it was time to go full steam ahead and actually train.


What use was a ninja who could not fight? About as useful as a blunt sword. She had heard of the legends of the past, medical ninja who could enhance their strength but even with this she couldn't feel right. She was not comfortable or confident enough to rush into combat. Perhaps strengthening genjutsu to such a height may be her only option. As she mused she looked down to the gates, still nothing, nothing at all.

Tomoko gave a deep sigh, hanging her hands behind her head as she awaited somebody, or something to walk through.

[2/3]

[Tomoko Aburame]

[Day 2 - Night]

The days were long and yet no sign of, well, anything. She was thankful in a way for the quiet. It allowed her to think about who she is and what she truly wanted. What she wanted was to be a fine tool, a usable weapon and now with her time isolated she knew just what she had to do. She knew she had to become something greater than herself for the village. Then and only then could she live up to those legends she read as a child, only then could she truly bring about her dream - to help all that she could.

Folding her arms and tapping her elbow she looked around waiting for the guard to take up her position once more as she was growing tired, staying awake for an entire day certainly got the best of somebody so young and meek. It was almost a shame that she had only interacted with very few, she had been really hoping to engage with a large audience but the rule of two would suit her as it suited Lord Bane in ancient days.

As the night went on she began to drift off, finally being awoken by a tap on her shoulder. She was startled, shaking for a moment as she looked to the guard who smiled down to her "I won't tell. It's fine." he mentioned "I was late anyway, go home and get some sleep" he ordered her causing Tomoko to give a quick salute "Th-Thanks..." she murmured as she collected herself, making her way away from the gate to turn in for the night.

[Mission Done]
[Exit]

[Lord of Cold]

They say only cowards return in defeat, but that is not the case. We do not live in a world where all enemy's put their victims to the sword. Some oaths are more complex then a gutteral grunt and pointing your weapon in the right direction. And so I, Jorik of Ygnrid, defeated Lord of Yukigakure, rode back to my now impoverished village. But I held something of great value. The remains of Ace, sealed in some abusrdist's sword, were now in my possesion. And, with Sieward's good plan, the epic of Yuki was just beginning.

"Hail, Tundra and Jorik!" I heard, coming from the Wall as I rode by the remains of the old gates. The gates swung wide with less caution than I would have liked, and I scolded the man, but proceded to laugh.

"If you are not on duty tonight, you might want to make it to the Castle. There will be news, fair and foul, there will be drinking. There will be a funeral and there will be old friends. You really shouldn't miss it."

He nodded, and I rode off, first towards the hospital and then towards a tavern. I was going to need a poet and a doctor for tonight.

[Lord of Cold]

I arrived at the gate. The great-horse Tundra writhed beneath my legs, eager for another run across the countryside. It struck me suddenly that this adventure would likely disappoint him, as I was going to teach the girl Tomoko how to ride, and a full sprint with Tundra was not an adventure which a novice could easily emulate. The horse behind me was a white mare I had been affectionately calling "Flurry." The stable hand seemed to like the name, so I supposed it would stick. It was saddled with a relatively small saddle, as befit its soon-to-be rider. Strapped to it was a pack of bread, cheese and dried meat. Strapped to Tundra was a small cask of mead, which I figured would do a good job of greasing the wheels of diplomacy when the time came for that matter.

I arrived at the gate and waited. Hopefully my ally would be arriving to my side soon. I wanted to get going on this mission.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Demystifying Diplomacy
Rank: “B”
IIC Length: ---
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: Meet the Mizukage.
Description: The location of Kirigakure, combined with the necessity of more support in the face of Konoha makes Kirigakure a natural ally in the coming years. It would be no small feat to bring them onto the side of Yukigakure, but meeting them is the very first step. The merchants would love to see hegemony in the isles; as it would guarantee them fixed rates and rising profits.
Reward: 10,000 Ryo

[Tomoko Aburame]

After the meeting with the two kage she had made a note to visit Jumbo in his store and ensure everything was going well, not only that but so too to pack a small lunch for the trip, some dried pork rations for the two to eat if the journey went too long. It was a small thing but something Tomoko deemed important enough to do.


As she made her way to those familiar large gates she saw her lord, the frost born Jorik, the man she aspired to please in any way she could standing there in all his glory. Walking carefully up to him Tomoko bowed low "I-I had to check on something s-sorry if I'm late" she muttered to herself hoping Jorik would hear.

Finally a thrilling adventure awaited, and Tomoko was eager to satisfy her wanderlust, she had never ventured even a step outside of Yukigakure, nor seen a land without snow, the idea of a village without snow was so alien to her that she simply could not imagine what it would be like.

[Lord of Cold]

The contingency was gathered. I was armed; I had my axe, my horse, my telescope, my shield and my sword. I had a few days worth of food, although I knew any ship which was a friend to Yukigakure would be more than willing to feed its sovereign for a few nights. But self-reliance was a virtue. With all that and my mead, we were ready to set off. The girl arrived a little late, and she apologised for it. "Don't worry about that, I'd just hardly arrived myself. Nice to see you. Are you ready for expedition?"

It was as warm as it ever got around here, but even so, I had a nice fur and cloth jacket, quilted and brown, with light blue details and a shield with four snowflakes on my breast. I had leather chaps and a small rucksack in which my explorer's scope was stored. Tundra reared slighhtly, but I calmed them.

"This here is flurry. She's a sweet little girl; you'll be learning to ride her." I hopped off my horse, and reached out to Tomoko, encouraging her to approach the beast. "Put your right leg in the sitrrup here and climb atop. Once you're there, you'll want to grab the reins and put your foot in the far stirrup. You squeeze with your leg if you want to go faster, you pull back with the reins if you want to stop. Pull the left rein to turn left, pull the right to turn right." I would stand by her, helping control the horse for the moment. If she seemed to grow comfortable, I would return to Tundra, who was standing less-than-queietly. Apparently he was as eager as I was.

[Tomoko Aburame]

Staring up at her king she was so excited to actually be out on a mission with him, to actually be able to ride with him into combat- well, not combat but close enough as this was the world of shinobi. Looking to Jorik as he asked if she was ready she nodded furiously "I am very excited! I've never been outside of Yukigakure! I wonder what kind of snow they have!" she said gleefully looking up to Jorik and swaying as she visualized a form of 'misted' snow,something powdered and white that hung in the air.

Her eyes widened as she looked to the horse, was this really true? Was she able to actually ride a horse? Something deep inside of her turned, something primal as she clapped her hands and let out a small squeek "O-Okay!" she stated as she tried to focus on the stirrup but found it a little hard to get her foot in without it wildly flailing about, soon out of both confusion and reflex she braced her hand against the horses's flank to allow her more leverage to get up. Scrambling up on top of the horse she found that the stirrups were a little long for the near-hobbit like size girl but she made dude with delight petting the mane of the beast that had served humanity so well through out the years.

"R-Right!" she stated trying to maintain composure as she felt what felt like an earthquake as the horse began to simply walk, it was an unusual feeling and a lot jerkier than she had assumed, people - especially Jorik - made it seem like second nature but Tomoko felt her whole body jerk back and forward with every trot, trying to manuever the steed she began to turn right...and then right once more...and then right...essentially just going around in circles "I...I think I got it...well, how to go right anyway..." she stated nervously petting the mane of Flurry.

"H-How many days ride are we?" she stammered doing her best Eomer impression but falling short with her chipmunk like voice. "D-Do they speak other tongues? I only know my own.." she admitted having not encountered those with other tongues quite yet. She had always wondered why villages did not do this, having a unique language for a place would ensure that members of a place would always know who was a local and who was not. It certainly would help those who tried to spy or invade the lands.

[Lord of Cold]

The girl was as full of questions as she was desire for adventure. It was a good trait. A curious ninja would learn a thousand more things in their life than a mindless thrall. A good stock of free-thinking folk would do me well over the long run. I needed them to follow me into the valleyof death, if need be, but it would certainly be nice if they could point out another path when there was one. "Most of the world does not have snow this time of year. Mizu no Kuni, our destination, will be warm and humid."

I watched her brief struggle with the horse. She began to understand what was going on. It was entertaining, but I think she was going to be okay for this voyage. Just riding a horse isn't particularly hard; moving fast or doing multiple things at the same time, or riding an untrained beast takes skill. Our simple walk to the coast was going to be simple exposure to the activity. "It'll be but a few hours to the coast. We'll find a longship there. With any luck, the longship will be willing to sail right up to the capital of Mizu no Kuni, and we'll proceed to ride a short distance to the embassy. Hardly long enough to justify horses. But I thought it'd be more enjoyable to take them. Plus, I like the message; Yukinin do not walk."

If the girl seemed comfortable enough, I would lead her off through the gate. The guard there would smile, and swing wide the main gate. We would ride off, slowly but surely, side by side. Was the world ready for a Kiri-Yuki alliance? They say frozen Mist is just as beautiful as a frozen Waterfall. We shall see if they speak true.

[Tomoko Aburame]

Tomoko was confused, there were small gaps within Yukigakure without snow surely but an idea of a country without a single trace was quite alien to her. Something she would definitely be adding to her list of places to visit would be the hotter lands as Jorik spoke to her, though she did worry about the humidity, a nice negative two was a good temperature for her and naught a point higher for her to find comfort lest she toss and turn in that hot night.

"W-We get to go on a longship!?" Tomoko said excitingly, she was thrilled always seeing the grand vessels being constructed but had never dreamed she would ever get to truly sail, but now, now she would feel as if a true frostborn warrior, sailing with her king into uncharted lands, this was a dream come true. "I will remember that!" she chirped with a smile, following Jorik in stead riding side by side with her king as she hoped to see a world unknown to her.

[Defiant]

[Enter]

The small door to the gate creaked open, and through it, a gust of wind blasted outwards. Snow kicked up off the ground all around the door and shot outwards, away from the gate in a straight line. Inside the curling, misty gale was a young man with jet black hair and brilliant blue eyes, grinning as he slid along on two small orbs made of compressed air. The wheels were smoother and quicker than any wagon could hope to be, and carried him across the ice with ease and speed.

He looked back over his shoulder, and then turned around completely, continuing his initial trajectory even as his body did the full turn, to admire the gates to his village from a far.

"beautiful..." he muttered to himself. With a quick twist, he spun back around, and continued on his way. The kid was wearing simple clothes, thick pants and a long winter jacket wit the furl lined hood still down. Just looking at him from boot to head he wouldn't have struck many as being a ninja; despite all of his attire being black, save for the grayish-white of the fur, the headband around his waist was the only notable thing that he wore, he bore no weapons, not even any concealed. The only thing he had on him, was what he would always have on him, the two weapon summoning seals that sat just at the bottom of both his palms, but they were hidden by gloves.


[exit]

[Dealer's Button]

~enter

Arriving at the gates Ace was warmly greeted by the guards warning him not to go yet he shook his head. He must reach Takigakure to make sure Yukigakure and Takigakure bonds were still strong. Checking over his buttbag which contained 80 ice exploding tags he nodded in agreement. Heading out into the frozen wilderness wearing his usual wear yet with his ceremonial Hachidaime Yukikage robe gently upon his shoulders, he headed out into the frozen wilderness.

~exit~