go whee? wherever the heck i want!

[uchit444]

The boat still lay, right side up, in the sand, though just a few feet from the rising current of the sea. I grabbed onto it roughly, and began my valiant pull. The adrenaline that still coursed my blood filled my muscles with strength, and the task took only a few mighty heaves.

I jumped into the boat once it reached water. taru would hopefully follow, and then Konnan would show up, hopefully that is. I grabbed a paddle, the wind wasn't to far in our favor, but it would still help us. I immediately set to to endless drone of paddle... paddle... paddle. We were leaving, but to where?

[Itaru]

Even if there was indeed an insane amount of adrenaline rushing through his bloodstream, heart was pounding wildly from within his rib cage, but Itaru’s expression would remain the same; empty, emotionless, like he always made himself appear to be. As they dashed through the mist that would eventually lead them to the boat they stole, Itaru would notice Kokkan chasing him not far from behind. She understood when it was time to move—she wasn’t as pathetic as she looked. Itaru lunged onto the boat, following the massive wolf.

Sitting within the structure that would sail the across the sea, Itaru leaned over the boat to wash his hand of the blood that stained his glove. He couldn’t help but wonder one particular thing—would Koharu not trust Itaru because of what he saw the former Chuunin do? To a boy that was so young; a boy around the same age as Edward and Tsumatai…

In an effort to calm himself, Itaru let his fingers run through the fringes of his silky hair. He tried to remember Chi and the way he felt when he was around her, but at the moment it seemed impossible. He would do anything to return to Stone now, but he knew it wouldn’t be as easy as all that. Itaru pointed towards the south-west when he caught a glimpse of Koharu’s sight. That was where they were headed, to a smaller country where they would hide out for the time being. Itaru finally sat himself down within the boat and gazed over the sea, deep in thought.

[uchit444]

Itaru looked the same as always, as no emotion showed on his face. How could he stay so calm, when i'm turning into an emotional wreck. For a moment, i had hoped he wouldn't get into the boat. I would have returned to Stone after that, turning myself in, hopefully to become a stone nin yet again. I could do missions untie i was accepted as a true nin, then take the chuunin exam, so i could increase my fame, and become well known as the greatest Sankuchi ever.

That probably coudlnt' happen anymore, but i would make the best of it, and train myself until i could show that i was great shinobi. I would need to go to a quiet country to train, somewhere that would be difficult to follow a trail to. Tea country would be good, as their trail wouldn't lead there since they had gone by tea. Any nin that hunted him would have a difficult time discovering his whereabouts on such a large, but still lonely country.

[Itaru]

[Thanks for moving, Nagaku.]

Itaru jumped from the boat once it boarded the Tea country. This was an area that he’s never been, but it made him feel more comfortable than what Mist did. Itaru stole a glance at Koharu, now realizing that the kid was just as silenced as Itaru. He recalled the young man talking more in the past, but only shrugged the thought off. So many questions he wanted to ask Koharu… One random question slipped through his lips without even fully wanting it to.

“Koharu, what’s your opinion on me?”

[uchit444]

My opinion? I don't think i have one any more. Your cold, calculated, and you killed a kage. What opinion can i have without getting killed? I wasn't exactly scared of Itaru, as i doubt he'd harm me, but i was still a little shaken up from the whole encounter in mist. The adrenaline keeps doubt, pain, and cowardice from my system, but now it was gone. I was much more lonely than i had ever been.

[Itaru]

Those eyes of Itaru’s could see the discomfort in Koharu, and he understood why it was. Time would take care of that itself. His eyes altered their sights away from Koharu to take in the environment of Tea. For once he felt like he wanted to talk with Koharu… and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because Itaru too was feeling a bit lonely, despite having the former Genin with him at his side. He felt as though there was nobody with him at all when realizing what Koharu actually thought about him.

“If that’s true then why did you follow me here? I will leave you to be on your own if that’s what you choose.” Itaru paused for a brief moment before continueing. “When we first met, I was burying a friend of mine, and before him I was bidding farewell to another friend. You say my eyes are cold… do you believe it was me who killed that boy in the grave?”

[uchit444]

Back then, no. You seemed much to 'loyal' to my village. But now, i'm not so sure. You mention another, did you kill both of theses so called friends? Tears were absent from my face, but inside i felt so hurt. If i was in stone right now, i would ask them to torture me for my misdeeds. I wasn't, so i would still have to make the best of it. A small smile, though not a happy one, graced my features for a moment. I just need some clay, it always calms my nerves

[Itaru]

Right hand would snatch Koharu’s throat, a sudden flashback of what he did to Ikiri upon both of their friend’s death. He pulled his arm inward so Koharu would be forced to look into Itaru’s silvery eyes. Once he was overwhelmed with the visions of strangling Ikiri instead of Koharu, the Chuunin forced himself to release the Stone ninja only seconds after constricting his windpipe. He didn’t want to make anymore mistakes concerning his friends… no matter how insignificant that friendship was. He didn’t care if Koharu believed him or not, but he hoped that one day they had trust in each other.

“I never killed any of my friends. Maybe you’ll witness me betraying my village, and killing a Kage, but my friends are the ones I have loyalty in, if anything else in this world. A Genin named Edward Hatsu taught me what that means. If you want to take the boat back to Stone then do it, but I’m going to defend you either way, because in my eyes, you’re my friend; my last one.” Itaru’s voice was at a calm tone as he spoke, even if his words wanted to come out as harsh. His anger wanted to come to the surface and make his body shake uncontrollably like it did not too long ago, but he kept it hidden. He didn’t want to see Koharu leave, but he wouldn’t keep him as a prisoner, because that’s wasn’t what he was.

[uchit444]

He was to fast for me to see, and i was quickly within his grasp. It didn't hurt so much as ache, and the fact that i haven't drank water for several hours didn't help. Even so, i stood resolute. I can see an almost remembering look in Itaru's eyes, like he wasn't choking me, but someone else. I didn't struggle, and waited for him to release me or kill me.

He released me, but he was still calm, and i hated it. I despised the former stone chuunin in front of me much more than i despised anything else for a moment. He had convinced me to leave m village, the place i loved and trusted. i was safe there, but now, i probably had bounty on my head already. How could he stay so damn calm when so much is going on around him. I spit, aiming for Itaru's sandal. It missed, i had never had much skill in spitting, but that wouldn't stop me. I prepared to spit again, this time at his face, when his next words reached my ears.

Then how can you remain so calm, every single one of you're friends is dead? You say you'll protect me, when you couldn't keep that same promise with any of you're other friends. There were tears welling up in my eyes as i turned away. The stress of this situation was getting to my mind, and i had to brake this up quick. I'll see you very soon. Just give me some time to clear my mind. I left, out to train, perhaps. Anything to ease my mind.

[exit]

[Itaru]

Gazing over the sea for a brief moment, Itaru would force himself to take in what it was Koharu had just said. It struck him deeper than anything Ikiri ever said, but he needed to keep as calm as possible if he wished to survive this new lifestyle. Even if Koharu thought of Itaru as a traitor and nothing more, if the time came he would prove Koharu could have had trust in Itaru from the very beginning. It was up to him to decide on that though.

[Exit]