Snake and the Sun [P|Travel]

[Flower]

The Snake and the sun

The desert was a beautiful place. Her harsh wind and sand broke down even the most proud men, a feat that Valerys had also accomplished. This was the way of the ninja -- the way of the warrior. But this too was the way. Sitting in the sand and staring at a snake that bathed in the sun near a cactus that was at least ten feet tall. The dust storms blazed through the dunes. Today was a dangerous day. 
"How's it going?" 
The voice was not something Valerys had expected. Out this far in the wild -- you had to be a fool to sneak up on someone. 
The man who appeared on the horizon was bathed in red clothing. His black hair was held up in a ponytail and he had a sword on his side. Valerys had a spear of about four feet strapped to her back and various other pieces of equipment in her butt bag. Although she hadn't been expecting to meet such a stern young man, Valerys did not leave her weapons far away. 
"Well hey there," Valerys said, "Who are you?"
"My name is Frazier, but my friends call me the Judge."
  
The Judge was within a few feet now.
"Why do they call you that?"
"Because I cast judgement." He motioned to his sword. 
"Well isn't that impressive." Valerys giggled. "Help a girl up from the ground?"
Valerys stuck out her palm and the Judge helped her to stand. He was  a good looking man. Stern chin and cheek bones, and muscles that showed his clear dedication. But there was a difference between dedication and strength. Strength, Valerys decided, is something the Judge does not have.
"So who are you?" asked the Judge. 
"Me?" Valerys gave him her most pleasant smile. "They call me Valerys -- but no special titles like you. All I've got is a spear and some needles.
"But... you could say that I do well for myself." 
By the time Frazier drew his sword the spear was cutting through the metal. SCREEEEE. Crack. The sword split in two and the point of the spear cut through his lung. Frazier looked at the blade and at the girl casting it into his torso. He felt wet. 
"Looks like I'm passing judgement on the Judge," Valerys said. "How sad. You looked a bit more tough." She yanked the spear out and let the blood pour on her sandals. The sand drank with jealousy and became red. Valerys pushed her hair out of her eyes. 
"It's nice to be back."
She slid the polearm on to her back and started trekking through the desert. It was a long journey to the Land of Earth. 

{Move to the Land of Earth.}

SPOILER: Click to show

North Wind: Razor
Rank: "B"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A more dangerous version of Heaven Dragonfly: Dismemberment (Air and Ground), however the user does not have to learn that version.
Special: ---
Drawback: This technique only works on overview weapons.
Description: The user concentrates on their strength within a single strike. The user slices through all materials with their polearm in a single swipe. When used on an opponent this technique will bash through the opponent as well in a single swipe, cutting, or bludgeoning through the opponent's flesh and bone cleanly.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know North Wind: Disarm (Counter).

wordstagged

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

Moved

[Flower]

The Snake and the sun

"The Lead of Earth," Valerys said. Her hands were on her hips and she stared into the crevice that let her know that she was there. A journey from the Land of Wind to the Land of Earth was not easy, but she had made good time. "How I've longed to see you in your glory."

During the days of the third kazekage, the Sand and Stone Villages had formed strong alliances. Knowing that there could be no better place, Valerys had made her way here. The Stone Village and the Land of Earth were the closest thing she had to a home, other than the Sand Village. Lately she hadn't felt the same affinity for her village. As if there were a great loss in the area.

Valerys started her hike into the crevice and the beginning of her journey.

{Exit to Land of Earth.}

wordstagged

[Flower]

[enter.]

Valerys had been in the Land of Earth now for many years. She had finally determined that her training here was complete, and that it was time to move on. But to move on to what? The Land of Wind still seemed a far off dream -- her questions were still answered and she had not yet gained the powers that she had expected to since coming here. Yes, she had met the boy and Gilbert (not to mention Ashlee) but now it was time to forget all that and move on with what remained. The experience. And the knowledge. As she began her trek through the rocky terrain, Valerys knew that she would have to pass through the Land of Waterfall and some uncharted lands to get to the Land of Sound. Instead she decided to go by sea. Why was she going there? Valerys was not exactly sure herself. It was told to her by ancient knowledge gained in the Land of Earth, and Valerys intended to follow it. Trudging through the Land of Earth was not nearly as difficult as moving through the Land of Wind, and Valerys found herself relaxed by the relatively cool atmosphere. By night, she was well on her way to the Bay of Dharma.

Valerys spent some time in on the docks, remembering her early years as a child, and eventually harbored a ship with the help of some of her ninja techniques. As a criminal, she knew ways to get what she wanted. The ship took off across the Tamon-ten Ocean and Valerys spent several days on the water. she got along well with the crew, who were old sea dogs with attitudes very similar to her own. More than once Valerys beat one of them in a gambling game and had to fight them to keep the payment. By the time that the ship docked in the Bay of Sangha, Valerys could not have been happier to see land. Although the Land of Wind was on the coast, she was not as used to the ocean as the sandy desert. But where the ship went was not the Land of Wind, of course, it was the Land of Sound.

As the ship rode closer, Valerys thought that she could hear strange music coming from the docks and shipping cities. Within a few minutes she knew that she was right. Some of the men on the docks seemed to be playing harmonicas, and Valerys wondered if they knew anything of the bards that she heard about. When the ship docked and Valerys was officially within the Land of Sound, she took her leave and stuck around the docks just long enough to fulfill her duties and move on. As she entered the Land of Sound, Valerys realized that this was a very different world than any she had encountered. The cities were filled with people who farmed and had rain to produce crops, holding festivals for a good harvest. Nothing like this would have ever happened in the Land of Wind, and not much more in the Land of Earth. Valerys prepared herself for the foreign customs and peoples that were to follow, and entered the Land of Sound.

(move to Land of Sound.)

[Skulking Shinzu]

Moved to Sound.

[Flower]

Valerys stepped out into the open country of the Land of Sound and contemplated where to turn next. She knew that she was meant to come here, it had been revealed to her in visions, but not exactly what for. She knew that she would have to search for her answers, and perhaps then she would discover the truth behind this long voyage that she had been on for over six years. As she looked at the rather temperate fields and small vegetaion, Valerys almost relished the time that she got to spend here instead of back home. She gathered her gear and items and prepared herself for what lay ahead. When Valerys was out of the sight of people, she began to shift and change her appearance, taking on a new one to suite her time her, and strolled off into the countryside...

[exit to Land of Sound.]

[Flower]

(enter from Land of Sound.)

Valerys looked around at her surroundings and noted that it was time that she get moving if she was ever to get back home. Alfonso had kicked her out of the dojo and she didn't have much other business in the Land of Sound. She had been most interested in learning the techniques of the Capoeira fighting style -- but now that she had done some of this, she was ready to move on. Valerys looked to the sky for some sort of clue, but there was none on this cloudy day. Valerys prepared herself, getting all of her weapons and tools together in her packs and such, and held the herbs that she had found while out on her travels. With that in mind, Valerys started heading toward her home and the Land of Wind. She was more than eager to get home. But first she had to go through the Land of Fire, Valerys knew, and the Land of River as well. As she began to walk through the Land of Sound, she all sorts of people out and about -- farmers and young children -- and she marveled at their everyday life. It was nothing like this where she came from.

(move to Land of Fire.)

[Deleted]

Moved

[Flower]

Valerys finally made it to the Land of Fire, leaving behind the farmers and all of the rolling hills in the Land of Sound. Valerys had never been to the Land of Fire before and noted much about it as she passed. Back when she had been in the Sand Vlilage, the Leaf Village had been their enemies, so she was cautious. But who knew, time could change just about anything? After walking for several more miles Valerys began to come across several groups of bandits and undesirables. They seemed to have taken well to harassing travelers at the border of the Land of Fire. Valerys had to cut off one of their hands, but other than that she passed through the land without much problem. With her skillls of deception it made it relatively easy for her to pass through unnoticed. She found herself frequently moving through forests and next to lakes as she came closer and closer to the Land of Rivers. Villagers in small towns told her that she was getting close, and day after day that she camped in the forest Valerys wondered when she would finally reach her destination. When she would finally make it past the Land of Rivers and Fire, and into the Land of Wind -- her home. And then she could return to the hidden Sand Village. Where she had always gone running toward.

(move to Land of Rivers)

[Deleted]

moved

[Flower]

As Valerys passed through the Land of Fire, she was grateful to have gotten out alive. She had been worried that some Leaf ninja might have spotted her and blown her cover. But now that she had made to the Land of Rivers, Valerys was at ease. The place by nature was peaceful and not riddled with the many obstacles of hidden villages. Although the land was often more liquid than Valerys preferred, and she wasn't use to such a lush environment, she was appreciate to have this time. Valerys meditated on the beauty as she traveled -- happy to finally be coming within range of her home. The Land of Rivers was relatively small and getting across it would not be difficult, and after that lay the land of her birth. Where she had left her parents. Where she had become a shinobi. And now she was returning. How different it must be. These thoughts accompanied Valerys as she made her way over a bridge, and she saw some kids playing in the water. I'll be happy to be away from here and back to my affairs, she thought, hoping that it was true.

(move to Land of Wind)

[Deleted]

moved

-next time take a boat lol-

[Flower]

[OOC: Yeah, definitely.]

Valerys looked upon the desert as she finally arrived home. It had come. After much travel and many years, Valerys was once again in the Land of Wind. She was happy to be home, and the nostalgia seemed to flood her every person. So long she had been gone, Valerys was not even sure even of her old acquitances were still here -- indeed, she could barely remember many of their names. She suspected that things would be very different and knew that she needed to prepare herself for what lay ahead. Valerys took a moment to look over all of her items and meditate under the light of this desert sun, allowing the dryness of the air to touch her skin. After she was done taking in the sights of the desert, Valerys packed her things and took off. Toward the Sand Village. Toward an old life. And toward a new destiny -- filled with the unknown.

[exit to Land of Wind.]

[Flower]

[enter from Land of Wind.]

Valerys had just come from the Senpu Dojo where she trained in the Land of Wind, and decided that it was about time that she headed back toward the Land of Sound. It had been about a month or longer since she had been there, having been told to leave by her mentor for murdering a man in the woods. She hoped, however, that she could convince him to forgive her. Valerys packed up her things, wearing her normal appearance, and strapped the messenger pack over her shoulder. She had several containers, poisons, and her spear with her as well. Walking through the desert, Valerys began to look for the opening to the familiar river channels that she had used before to travel around. There were certain long, snaking rivers where one could be ferried into other countries. After having lived her life on the docks, Valerys found them rather quickly.

A lone ferryman by the name of Charon agreed to give her passage to the Land of Sound, in exchange for knowledge that she possessed. It was a long travel and Valerys found herself telling Charon many stories. The two of them got along well, as he didn't seem to be one of those no good do-gooders, and so they spent their nights on the riverboat gambling and singing loud songs. Before long the two of them were passing through the Land of Rivers, often channeling along hard to reach routes, and after a couple of days made it to the Land of Fire. Along the way Valerys thought of the Sand Village and decided not to be gone too long this time -- just long enough to get some new techniques under her belt.

Once in the Land of Fire there were fewer distractions, although a lot of land to cover. Charon and Valerys had come to know one another well and worked as a team on the boat, making it to the Land of Sound and being almost sad to have to depart. Valerys said goodbye to her new, seemingly evil, friend and took off to the Land of Sound. A place with which she was beginning to become quite familiar.

[exit to Land of Sound.]

[Hamura]

Moved to Sound.

[Flower]

[enter from the Land of Sound.]

Valerys was trying to determine the best way to get to the Land of Water and decided that it would be best to get on a ship at a dock in the Bay of Sangha. She had her polearm with her, folded up, and her messenger pack with all sorts of useful items. As Valerys was preparing herself for the journey, she looked at the Land of Sound and knew that she would be back soon. There were still so many techniques to train. She traveled quickly across the small country and got to the bay, where she used her shapeshifting abilities to sneak away on to a ship of men on their way to the Land of Hot Springs. It was a quick journey, and when she arrived she ferried a riverboat down through the Land of Hot Springs led by Charon -- her old friend.

The two of them talked and drank as they passed through the Land of Hot Springs, and Charon helped her meet a ship captain and and recieve free boarding across the ocean to the Land of Water. Her time spent on this ship was rowdy, as it was a large crew seeking to join a new city, and they liked to spend their time laughing, fighting, and drinking a lot. Valerys had fun for the first few nights, but soon found herself tired of the spectacle and concentrated on getting herself to the Land of Water. After several days the islands around the Land of Water came into view and Valerys began to see several ports on differnt landscapes.

Soon their boat was approaching the Land of Water. Valerys beamed as she saw it, ready to enter and find the rituals and items that she had been searching for, as well as her Aikido master.

(move to Land of Water.)

[󠀐󠀐󠀐󠀐Y]

Moved.

[Flower]

The ship pulled up to a dock on the east side of the Land of Water and Valerys got off, bidding goodbye to the crew that she had come to know. Before too long she was strolling through the docks of a large island nation -- surprised at the amount of tourist and people. With that she went off in search of the hospital, knowing that there she could find what she seeked.

[exit to Land of Water.]

[Flower]

(enter from Land of Water.)

Valerys strode back toward the docks from where she'd come into the Land of Water and look around at all of the sailors and their boats, figuring out the best of course of action to get home. She was in her usual appearance and had her messenger pack, spear, and various other items on her. She saw a group of young deck hands boarding on to a ship, and when she asked around she discovered that it was headed for the Land of Fire. Valerys changed herself into a young boy and boarded along with the others. Along the long voyage from Water to Fire, the ship captains forced all the boys to do hard labor but Valerys was used to such task and much stronger than her peers. Eventually she won the affection of the ship captain, and rubbed it in the other boys faces.

When the ship docked in the Land of Fire, Valerys struck out in search of a river so that she could board a canoe with her usual ferryman, Charon. Charon told her that he could take her to the Land of Wind by going through the Land of Rivers, as it was already on his way, and she boarded with him again. The two of them laughed and cut up, and she showed him the many new training techniques that she had learned along the way. The two of them entered the Land of River and looked upon the many interlocking rivers for miles. Days passed as they manuevered through them, getting drunk and telling stories.

Soon Valerys and Charon made it through the Land of River and were entering the hot desert plains that beckoned the Land of Wind. Valerys looked up at the sun from the canoe, which still rode on the river, and thanked the gods for this fortunate day to be returning home. She was eager to get back to her old training grounds and meet with her village leader when she could, but there was still other business she would need to attend to first. Such as finding the individuals that Shiki had requested. The canoe stopped along the shore when they were far enough inland and Valerys thanked Charon, moving into the Land of Wind.

(move & exit to Land of Wind.)

[Hamura]

Moved to Land of Wind