A decision to make(Invite only)

[Master Game]

[Enter]


Shoko strolled along an abandoned desert road. The trail was long and foreboding, with not a single soul in sight, giving it an eerie vibe as the young genin trode on nonchalantly through the scorching heat. His time in Kaze no Kuni had fortunately left used to the whole heat business and as he grew a darker tan day by day, he found out that he could manage quite well despite the relent rays of the harsh sun.

The young lad wore his dark cloak of Hyuuga casually, accompanied by his signature white scarf, wrapped around his lower facial area. Nailed unto that scarf was a shiny head-protector representing Sunagakure. The boy's skin was a nice shade of chocolate, a heavy contrast to the blonde, spiky hair that adorned his head. A magnificent scarlet and gold sheath hung by the boy's waist, serving as a scabbard for his most prized and favourite weapon; the Kyuushi. Additionally, a Stormium heavy shield was affixed unto a strap that hung from his back, and a retrievable tanto concealed within it. A pair of combat boots that were covertly Boots of Speed. Inside the boy's cloak, four half-pouches were sewn into it; each half a slot of explosive tags(One full slot of explosive fire tags and one full slot of force tags). By the boy's belt he had three quick-loaders, one full of a slot of smoke pellets, another a slot of northern wind and the final one contained about five zipties. Hanging off him like a fanny-pack yet obscured by his cloak was a Patrol Pack; holding about 20 kunai, 4 multi-tool, 6 Shock-cloaked spider scrolls and a full slot of not only Slime Star, but Dragon Wind and Devil Smoke grenades. Specialised grenades he'd had custom-built. But he was far from done,for a large medical pack hung off his butt. It contained 1 Healer's gem, 1 gem of Jutsu Reflection, 15 Telekinesis gems, 15 troll stone, 15 chakra gems, 50 Spirit amber and finally 10 military ration pills. That was it for the boy's public arsenal, but the pack-spider of his following alongside him had the uncanny ability to swallow and regurgitate objects at the boy's command. Not to mention that it could even hold up to 59 different slots. Inside were shurikens, lighter, magnetic emitters and lightning bottles to name a few.

The boy was on his way to visit someone he'd been told to say far on the outskirts of Kaze no Kuni, and this trail seemed to be the quickest route if he wanted to make it there before dusk.

[💀]

The land of infinite heat and cold. The sun beat down on leathery bat-like wings and the back of Jashin's right hand, a kind of fluttering in the light from overhead. On silent wings she flew in search of the Kage monument. Nothing but sand greeted her for miles and from the looks of it wasn't changing soon.

Her face was adorned with a gas mask in the shape of a crow, the single filter within the beak she breathed through, an E filter. The eyes lit up like a flashlight and the lenses themselves were anti-flash, condition viewing and rather durable to the elements. Two butterfly yoyo's hung at her hips, a fencing rapier on the right hip, her monstrous triple bladed scythe flew around her like a pet with a lead, orbiting her like a planet around a star. A form fitting corset pulled her trim figure into one that was quite pleasant and on top of it was a thin chest piece of starmetal breastplate that boast herself a few extra points of durability. The compact communicator mirror was on her person as well. An Irken pack lay in her backpack un-deployed, ready in the event she should be crippled in any sense. 2 meters of silk, rope and ninja wire.

Landing in the sand dunes was of no worries, falling a measly twenty meters to the desert floor with a spray of grit and sand at the first sight of human life she could see trudging along the sandy dunes. At least the indent of their footprints. The eyes of her mask we're disengaged and the haunting bright green glow of her natural eyes lit up the mask like a fright-night horror house.

Twisting loose the E cartridge she took in a long deep breath of the air and re-applied it's canister. "Nothing but sand.... I hate sand..." With sweeping head movements and her scythe orbiting around her she glared in attempts to spot those in her vicinity. To no one in particular -as most didn't register in her eyes less deemed the target by her love and lord- she spoke aloud in hopes of an answer like the time those unsightly elders dare got in her head.

"Might anyone know where the Kazekage monument lay out in this wasteland? I've much more studying to do." Other thoughts roamed the killers mind but directions... we're the most pertinent. "I believe I have a host of Kage's to kill... they slipped my fingers last time."

[Master Game]

As the Hidden Sand shinobi continued his slow march he would hear a loud thud from somewhere behind him. It was as if more than a hundred pounds of weight just fell through the sky and crashed down unto the sand several metres behind him. A quick turn about a 180 degrees and Shoko was facing the origin of such noise, and somewhere in the distance he found it. As a large cloud of dust began gently rising up the air, Shoko could make out a figure emerging from its light concealment.

Through the lenses of his custom-made Vanguard of the Wolf mask, Shoko zoomed his vision, making out the crow-like visage of the mysterious stranger that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Analysing the feminine figure with curiosity, Shoko made out tactical equipment and several weapons including a floating three-sided scythe. Warning sirens went off in the boy's head, whoever that person was, they didn't seem anything like the arbitrary traveller one would usually see. Silently praying that luck was on his side, the boy's lenses zoomed in further desperately looking for any sort of sign indicating the subject person was a shinobi. He found none, no headband, no nothing.

A slight panic raced through him as the genin took a step back. It was at this time that the stranger began to speak. As she finished her sentence, Shoko was hesitant in replying. He figured he could just offer directions and be on his way, the situation not having to escalate in anyway.

"I believe I have a host of Kage's to kill... they slipped my fingers last time."

That last statement made his blood run cold. By the looks of it, his footprints had given away signs of someone's presence, but not his exact one. Depending on the circumstances, the boy could simply activate his Hyuuga cloak to turn invisible before waiting out the storm until the imposing figure went on her way. He would only have a few seconds to make a decision.

Shoko took a couple steps towards the unidentified potential assassin. As he walked, all previously noticeable weapons, gadgets, various equipment had been removed and stashed somewhere under the cover of a sand dune. Including his shinobi head-protector and any form of identification. The boy's intention was simply to answer her question politely while looking as inconspicuous as possible so as to avoid any form of conflict breaking out.

"Oh, didn't know anyone else was taking this trail." Shoko announced as he strolled closer like the simple ten-year old he was. "If I heard you right, I believe you were asking for directions. Kage monument was it? Well if that's it you're way too far out. This trail leads to the outskirts of the nation. If you're looking to head to the capital, then you should probably backtrack about uh... 20, no 30 kilometres until you come across a canyon. There should be a mountain valley pass if you look close enough, keep following that and it'll eventually put you on the right track which you'll recognise by an odd T-shaped cactus."

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN Turned and turned, her brows hiked up rather high, twirling like a pirouette to find the source of the voice at hand and coming to lay her eyes on a boy. A mere boy. She'd only been a child herself when she set down the path of Jashin and he opened her eyes to the suffering of the world at hand. "Well aren't you just a cutie?" She crooned with a tone that leaked something sinister and childish all on it's own. The scythe that orbited her swung around obediently and she stared unblinkingly at the young boy as he spoke out of direction. At most an interruption, her previous statement. His directions to the capital were really of no use to her, not unless it led to the village of Sand and the way he pointed out directions put her head in a misty state for lack of a better term. This was when they were most impressionable. Most malleable. "Destiny never steers us wrong young man. I imagine if His hand has led me here then it is for a reason and I believe I cant begin to see why already!" All that potential wasted out here int he desert. The last time she was happened upon by a random soul like this... she'd strayed off the path of Jashin and made her amends tenfold. Never again. Snatch the scythe out of the air she planted it's double scythe head into the sand and dug it in with her heel, planting her chin on the back of the single blade at it's opposite end, the metal extraterrestrial in a way that cause a headache when stared at directly hence her positioning it directly beneath her chin. It glowed too a faint reddish tint as did the other two blades, the Troll Iron blade a mix of red and a deep green. "You know... when I was your age... someone put me on a path in life I never would have thought was possible and it freed my mind, my body and soul, gave me a sort of revelation that just living cant provide you." Leaning the heft of her blade forward she straddled it's handle length and tilted her head so the length of that inky black hair of hers hung off the side of her head like so. "How would you like to join Jashinism with me today? you won't regret it~"

[Master Game]

Shoko seemed mildly unnerved by the stranger's body language, and how it looked like she seemed more interested in things other than directions. The boy then became confused on her words pertaining destiny and other difficult-to-understand implications.

"How would you like to join Jashinism with me today? you won't regret it~"

Jashinism? Shoko wasn't all that educated on religious lore and so he would be quite puzzled as to what that meant. But given how the foreigner dressed and the sort of luggage she carried, Shoko could only make suspicious guesses about what Jashinism was about. Ultimately concluding that he didn't want much to do with it.

"Uh, sorry but I'm not sure I'm aware of what Jashinism is. I'm also on a schedule with a scroll to deliver to a certain someone. So I do apologise but it seems I might have to refuse your offer, forgive me if I'm a bit cautious but I can't bring myself to start following or trusting someone I just met."

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN Almost immediately she was sucking her lips anxiously, bobbing her heel off the end of the scythe dangerously close to the blade where her foot bobbed. She didn't take rejection well and this was just one more instance she was going to have to sell her point the hard way. "A little boy out in a desert like this all alone to deliver some scrolls?" She couldn't assume he was from the Suna village and make a remark about their delivery animals but at the very least she could harp on the irresponsibility. "I tell you what. I'll accompany you on your way and tell you a little about Jashin and his teachings. If something sparks your interest then we can definitely explore into your curiosity and put you on a path to his enlightenment." What she failed to mention was that killing anyone who knew and refused after the fact was the only other option given. With a twist of her scythe she pulled it from the hot sand and let it orbit her once more, approaching with a swift gait so they could be on their way immediately without stall. With a hand up to stop a potential interjection as she approached she smiled the most out of place sort of grin imaginable on a face so petite and fragile looking. One completely devoid of regret and bright eyes that lacked compassion not unlike a sharks. "Please. I insist." The boy could possibly lead the way to another follower... or another who needed the reaper's touch to free them from damnation.

[Master Game]

The woman's persistence was quite daunting. Judging by the things she was telling him, she really saw potential in the young lad for some reason. And was a bit too eager to recruit the boy into whatever organisation or religion Jashinism was.


"Please. I insist.

That toothy, shark-like grin, seemed so dangerous before the boy. Shoko instantly gulped, knowing that to flat-out refuse her might not work towards his best interests. But at the same time, she seemed quite polite about the whole thing. Who knows? He might actually be interested in this whole Jashinism gimmick. Not seeing any other option, Shoko Natamura gave in.

"O...kay. Personally I'm a bit hesitant, but if you're so eager to accompany me and tell me about "Jashinism"... then I suppose I'm not quite in a position to refuse." the boy grinned sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. He would then allow the Jashinist to walk alongside him as he continued along the trail.

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN She jogged across the landscape to get beside him, scythe in tow beside her, it's floating vicinity always within a meter and grab-able by any means should she need it. The path seemed to wind but then again to her this was all just... sand... so she kept her wings folded but ready should walking tire her. And then she rolled into her introduction. "You may call me Hecate, I am a follower of Jashin." That much was obvious. "Jashinism is the religion of much more than it seems on the surface. Though Jashin demands blood and sacrifice of those unwilling to convert, honestly it is just.. not so simple." With a sidelong glance she smiled her first real and genuine smile. "This world is full of suffering, you know? And Jashin.. well.. Jashin is there to embrace us all. He teaches that through his will and through only a moment of pain you can be an avatar of his will. No more pain.. no more anguish and suffering. When a member of Jashin comes an dopens red mouths in your flesh it is not because of anger or spite. It is freedom from th mortal coil. In Jashin's embrace there will be no more pain, no more loss, death, depression, hunger, bleeding, torment, incurable disease." This was her mission in a way but she did love Jashin so deeply... "It is very few who choose though to stay here. Stay in this world where suffering is all living amounts to so that we may convert the masses and show them the way. A way of deep rooted compassion and mercy. That by just a single solitary moment of pain can be an eternity of bliss and you will NEVER be alone. Jashin will be there to guide you. All the souls whom go to see him will be there too. Everyone. Our goal is for EVERYONE to be free of this Hell we call existence. No more watching your loved one's die in your arms. Wste away at your feet. No more villages fighting, no more need to know how to kill or defend when we are all at peach with Jashin." With a little skip she giggle and turned her gaze out towards the dunes. "It is rough to get people to understand... and I get it. It is hard to break the illusion we have spent our whole lives building up, that we are free but don't all lives end the same? When a hero closes their eyes for the last time are they not still dead and their death leave a gaping whole in the lives they touched? Why? Why bother when we can all be at peach at once? Jashin is always there, always waiting. Death flees from those who seek it so righteously but we of Jashin and his way are here to break this cycle of illusion." Taking a hard breath and gave him a pitied look. "The greatest genjutsu ever cast was the idea of life and that we are a master of our roles in it, young man. Sinners and liars were meant to inherit this world, not the children of Jashin. What do you think?" To this she spoke and believed every word. No deception to be cast.

[Master Game]

This... Isn't looking good.

Those were the thoughts Shoko formed as he walked alongside the sinisterly masked woman who introduced herself to be Hecate. His suspicion had been confirmed, Jashinism was some sort of occult organisation, no, religion worshipping a god that Shoko knew nothing of other than his will imposed was to have his followers kill in his name. Hecate spoke about freeing their souls, and that the life we all lived was corrupted, unworthy, wrong. That people can only ever find peace... in death.

Offering them the highest level of mercy, freeing them from life and the hardships that came with it. Hecate told him that was the role of Jashinists. To remain on earth only to "help" the unconverted and send them on their way to Jashin's embrace. Shoko had to admit, he was a bit struck by her charisma, and the way she spoke every last word with sincerity and confidence. Shoko was partly fascinated, partly unnerved. Here he was being preached to in hopes of converting to a religion that required him to kill people.

The worst part is that I haven't pulled a runner yet.

Any other person in their right mind would've said "Fuck this shit I'm out!" and bolted if they were being solicited to join a profane religion serving a god of death. Shoko himself was at his wit's end figuring out whether being a jashinist or a shinobi was all that different. Depending on the way one saw it, the work of a jashinist was far more noble and righteous then being a shinobi. But Shoko did his best to prevent himself from thinking directly along those lines.

All in all, he had to remember his duties as a shinobi, no matter how strangely reasonable Jashinism was sounding. If Hecate had given him this talk a year ago, where he felt wronged by his very existence, when his body was nothing more than an empty vessel, when he had long since run out of tears to shed, the genin would've instantly been compelled to join. However he'd already found his purpose in this world, someone had seen something in him, him, when he thought there was nothing. His loyalty now lay under those who trusted him and were willing to give him a reason to live. Yes, he was a shinobi of Sunagakure, and that wasn't going to change anytime soon.

But how to break it to her without ending up dead.

Shoko recalled one of Hecate's previous statements.

Though Jashin demands blood and sacrifice of those unwilling to convert,

It would make perfect sense. Killing the boy if he refused seemed quite logical, after all she would only be "having mercy" on the child and "sparing him from a worse fate". But Shoko didn't want to die, he still had a duty to fulfil as a shinobi, also places to go and things to see as a side bonus. Grinding through the hardships of life, that was what made it worth living. He had already felt so much mental pain to know what he was getting into, so even if just for another week, Shoko wanted to live on.

And for once... Shoko was completely honest.

"I do not mind meeting this "Jashin" of yours. Truthfully, I speak when I say I carry no prejudice or malice towards him, neither do I have any reason to disbelieve in his existence. Hecate I understand your duties as a follower of Jashin, knowing you must've been through a lot of agony to accept Jashin and come to such realisations of him. Let me guess, the only reason you are alive now and aren't united with your Jashin is to carry out his will? I realise now we are in similar situations. You see, I am a shinobi. But before I had nothing. I recently found my purpose however, my one purpose to actually continue living; and that was to serve my village. They put their trust in me and opened their arms despite me being a foreigner who grew up in another shinobi village, and when I had nothing to offer what's more. As you can see Hecate, while I am utmost fascinated with Jashinism, I already serve another god. I hope you can see that we are not much different. We're both enduring the hardships of this hell called life in order to carry out the will of a higher authority.

So even if it's just for another day or so, I'd like to live on. So that when I die... I die fulfilling my duty."

Those were Shoko's words, and he spoke the with a invigorating confidence and sympathy, believing every word that came out of his mouth. Not breaking his stride, Shoko would then gaze fatefully into the horizon, waiting for Hecate's reply.

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN Anything that wasn't an immediate yes always started with silence, insults... Or retaliation. The silence between her ending and his beginning was like waiting for a Rapture and of course he wasn't ultimately shocked by the end. However his intrigue drew her eyes as she walked with him, half fluttering with her wings behind her flapping on occasion. It stirred a mixed reaction in her that she would have to... talk about this at all to really get to the heart of things. He had... potential. Everyone had potential but few reached their calling in life. The more he talked and walked the more she listened but slowed till she was at a stand still. Seemed he knew the way this had to play out in the end after all. Sure he was looking ahead but she wasn't keeping track of how far away he was moving. She was in her own world again. Winding through all the paths her past set her down, the decisions sh was forced to make. Even forging ones own destiny meant forcing one's way through hardships. "I figured you were a shinobi." Hecate stared. "I used to be like you." She mumbled, more to herself than to him but whoever heard didn't matter. "A woman with wings from a village approached me once. Promised me I could spill blood in Jashin's name and not have to give up my destiny in this life. All I needed was to simply join the ranks of the fight she was stirring. This war she was brewing and stirring up with her chosen people." Fire burned hot in her luminous eyes. "I joined with suspicion, I prayed on it, asked Jashin what I should do and I was met with silence. I was given the free will to choose my own destiny too and I though t by doing this I could cull the world faster and that being chosen again Jashin's will was so strong even the sheep of the villages could sense it and I went running towards that opportunity." Her whole tone darkened. "I was sent on a retrieval mission in the end. An escaped criminal. We caught her, dragged her back and in the time it took us to catch this criminal, this "radical" individual they deemed too dangerous to be free, they locked me out of the village. Locked everyone out. The woman with wings vanished and everything she was plotting went up in smoke. Weeks. No message. No replies from the village. No permissions. No GUIDANCE. NOTHING!" She snarled into the wind. "I betrayed my god thinking I knew what was best and all I did was go running back into the erroneous ways of man. We are flawed creatures by nature. we are too riddled with inconsistency to be so sure of what we are doing alone in our convictions. Picking a choice does not make it right just because it pleases everyone else around you. My decision is regarded by a being that has transcended this world, don't you see? It is only because he lives in an existence that is not beyond death but beside it that one can look and see that Jashin has walked life and death and seen there is salvation for us and he's willing to give that to me. To you." She motioned his way, "To all of us who will but open our minds and hearts. I am living proof of this." She didn't bother addressing his question, the answer was obvious, rhetorical, she figured. "Men die, no? They make bad decisions, decisions that destroy themselves, destroy their villages. Kage's are no different Men and women elected by who? Other men and Women? Why? Because they are TOO lost to guide themselves, too lost to find their destiny but I am here reaching out from the dark, dark path most refuse to acknowledge. A village is full of yes-men. Of course they opened their arms to you, you can benefit them. Benefit their finite existence but there is so much more. What happens when those people die? Will you have impacted the world or just made their personal existence just a tad easier to enjoy before perishing?" Hecate felt cold despite the sun and her black robe, the jut of her horns shining like little obsidian spears. "Villages... such a useless concept. If we could all really control our decisions why not unite under one banner? Be one village? Because we cant. We're too selfish and conceited and by picking a village you'll soon drink that poison they are feeding you, it's only human nature. We agree with the ones we hold closest in fear of being lepers and ostracized. You'll start thinking like them too. You're too young for that, you haven't lived long enough to know you really want to live this painful existence. Villages kill for self gain. Fight for selfish reason. Not one village fights for the betterment of all mankind. Listen to what I'm saying." She didn't need to follow the orbiting scythe but her mind kept track, eyes bright and full of so much sorrow, so much anger and pity. Full of a pain that immortality just could not get rid of. For a moment she squeezed her hands into tiny fists and brought her brows together. She was... lonely. Jashin was always there but she'd always been a leper and the only people who saw use in her, saw her as a tool. Ame Surely Loki too in the end of it all. Shoko was her chance to prove to herself there was hope in her mission and that she TOO could join Jashin in his forever embrace. "Please..." The words cut like shards of glass in an open heart, so raw and unfiltered. "I'm denying Jashin's mercy so I can impart it to the whole world." I'm the only one left "Don't you think if I was selfish and self-serving that I'd just join him myself?" If I'm guilty of anything it's being lonely... "You'll come to see in time that Suna is using you. Your efforts will not benefit anyone but them and they wont share this with their fellow man." Why did rejection hurt so much? Why couldn't Jashin just make it go away? It must be the fuel he meant for the his followers to carry on. She couldn't fail. "I don't want you to grow to hate the world and join Jashin out of hatred." Bastardized preaching. She hadn't glimpsed the Necromicon. Jashin was a cult of pain and blood but she so believed every thing she said. "I'll let you g---" Please... don't make me... "If you wont join me right this second then... I'll let you run back to your village just so you can see for yourself, ask for yourself. What have your fellow shinobi done to better the whole world. And when they say 'Nothing' I want you to remember my name and seek me out." Outside she was solid as stone; Inside she wept to her God. Jashin, please forgive my sins. For I work only in your name! Worked in the idea he'd stray off his path and that together, two scythes were better than one.

[Master Game]

Somewhere along Shoko's stroll did he notice the absence of Hecate's footsteps. She had stopped a couple, metres back, so Shoko swivelled his body and faced the woman once more.

Shoko listened, listened, and listened. He was intrigued by the Jashinist's story, but not surprised. Hecate spoke her final words.



And then there was silence.



An ear-splitting silence. A silence carrying the pressure of a thousand senbons through the body. Shoko did not speak, but his eyes said it all. The caramel hue in his irises flashed and spoke a thousand words in the process. There was so much to say, so much to do, so much to think about. So why couldn't Shoko do any of it?

The boy's face simply remained silent. Hecate was a woman who was nearing her breaking point, like a fragile glass vase, any slight of pressure and she could crack. Because of Shoko she was at conflict with herself, he could see that in her words. And now there was just silence. But silence had to be broken.


"Y'know, this world is wrong. And maybe one day I'll see how wrong it is. Maybe one day I'll decided that I don't want to acknowledge it anymore. In serving my village, I will know whether or not it is really worth serving. I've already seen pain, but I am destined to see more of it."

Shoko looked up into the sunset red splashes of colour in the heavens.

"I'm sure one day, I will seek you out. Until then, I shall learn of the evils of this world myself, and make my decision."

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN Like it always did, denial was met with aggresion but it was directed inwardly. To beseech a child nonetheless. All were equal in Jashin' eyes, this had to be no exception. Setting her lips in a tight line that almost hurt she shook her head and held out her hand. "I would pray that it is not too late for you by then. Jashin may be with temperment and without flaw but I am not and I certainly would be torn to itty bitty shreds if I forgot to perform the rites to your carrying over should it come to blows. Sheep." Without another word she plucked the scythe from the air and trudged across the hot sand. Whether he thought she was coming for him or not she walked onward, unafriad of death if there was a soul on this planet that could bring it to her with Jashin by her side. "Let us make your delivery, unless that were some silly lie as well." She carried on, "You are rude. You haven't given me a name. Shall we stick with Sheep?"

[Master Game]

"It's... It's Shoko. My name is Shoko."

The young child's half-moon eyes found quite a lot of interest in the ground.

"Also, I wasn't really on a mission to deliver a scroll. Forgive me but, I'm very fond of arbitrary walks out in the desert. It... helps clear my head."

Shoko ruffled his own londe locks as he lifted his head and his eyes met Hecate.

"I'm supposing you have somewhere to be? Either way I can't remember which direction I was going before our talk so I guess I'll just be out here for a while" Shoko sighed ruefully, he really was pathetic at times. The genin figured Hecate should be leaving, she likely had better things to do than hang around someone who was barely worth company.

[Master Game]

[Exit, unless stopped]

[💀]

HECATE  UCHIHA HAND OF JASHIN -clone poof-