•Sand in my Boots [Travel|Open]

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It had been quite some time since Saitoh had been out on the road. As a child, he used to travel all the time, spawning many terrible memories. One could not have a normal life or childhood when they were nomadic, nor did he. Often he was forced to be alone, travelling with his parents with no one for company except his own mind. Travelling now at a moderate speed, Saitoh would walk the path towards the fire country, watching those who seeked refuge in the River Capital City pass him. A few hearty waves would come from enthusiastic merchants, eager to get him to buy their wares. Saitoh however would take no notice, he was not interested in the whims of a common peddler. Once he was a decent distance away from the city, he would begin to sprint, jumping into the air periodically just as most ninja did, something he learned to imitate ever since he saw the Suna Ninja.

His powerful legs would carry him at great speeds, making it so that a normal person would never be able to track him with their eyes. One had to be a Ninja to see the speed in which he was using to make his way towards the border. Once sure he was heading in the right direction, he would cross his arms over his chest and sigh. Closing his eyes he would wonder just what the purpose for this journey was. Perhaps he would just go and see the sights, it was possible something out there in the world would jog his memory. Before his little incident, he used to be a master of the Suna no Jutsu, however now he was reduced back to a simple Genin level of power within it. Eyes remaining closed, Saitoh would now cross the border from River into Hi no Kuni, moving up into the trees. His travel pace was now quickened, he would get close to the capital before he rested for the night.

{Move to Hi no Kuni}

[Zetsumei]

Watch out for them Konohaians... They'll set you on fire and break your jaw...

Moved

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•••

So many trees in this country, he was beginning to wonder of perhaps the place in which he was currently passing through was naught but a large forest. Perhaps this country lacked the arrid deserts or bustling streets that he had once been used to which made him feel slightly uneasy. Slowing his travels in a small clearing, Saitoh would look about for a moment to make sure that he was alone. On the way here one of his memories had slowly returned to him, the one revealing the knowledge of the "Third Eye" technique. A small frown played at his lips as he remembered the day he learned the technique. His father had lead them to a paticularly nasty area of the desert, full of cut throats and theives. It was all due to one paticular even that he learned the technique, out of neccessity.

-- Flash Back

The cries and screams of many could be heard, their travelling carivan under heavy siege. The screams of dying women and children filled the air, the grunts of their husbands not long behind them. Saitoh would have ended up among the pile of bodies, had he not mastered a crucial technique just days before all of this. Cornered by two large men toting large swords, he would begin to start the hand seal process, forming the sand around him. His chakra would explode forth from his Tenektsu, summoning a harden caccoon of Sand to shield him from their wrath. This he did in greed, thinking not of his family but simply his will to survive. Enraged, the two men would begin to tear at the dome to no avail.

Instead, they would turn to holding his little sister hostage. "Come on out you little punk, or else we'll torture her slowly and make you listen." the threatened. From inside his sand dome he had no real prood they were not bluffing however, he could not hear her so he assumed it was a trick. The scream of someone could be heard on the outside, but through the layers of sand he could not pin point it. Becoming nervous, he would enter a panic state. What do I do!? he wondered to himself, trying to calm down and plan out his actions rationally. It was just then he remembered his father mentioning the use of a technique that would allow him to see through sand. Hand seals would form slowly, out of nowhere as if his body were acting on it's own, and thank kami that it was.

Each seal was strange to him, however they were all correct. His chakra would pour forth from him, swirling the sand about just before his right eye. Cover it with his hand on instinct to block the particles, he would freak out slightly when he noticed he could no longer see from the inside perspective of the dome from his right eye. Instead, he could see the devastation outside, as if he were hovering just above the Sand Shield that protected his body. Swivelling towards the bandits, he would learn that it was not his sister, but instead one of their own trying to act as if she was his captured sibling. Oblivious to the eye, they would think they were winning, his chakra drain starting to weigh on him heavily. At a constant rate chakra would remain pouring forth to maintain the shield and eye.

"Come out kid!" they shouted once more, however now he would understand that there was no need to give into their demands. Waiting it out, he would remain inside the shield for twenty minutes until he heard the stern voice of his father on the inside. "Lower the Shield son, the battle has ended.." he said with a disappointed look. His son had used his techniques to survive, yet he was too cowardly to fight back then. "I did not train you in the Shinobi ways for you to be a coward, the next time you are needed you will fight.." he said, the last words he remembered hearing before he slumped forward, waking up hours later in a moving wagon with his mouth sponging his forehead.

-- End Flashback

A smile spread on the mans face as he realized what had just happened. Performing a quick set of hand seals from memory, he would once more slowly place his hand over his right eye. Almost immediately, the chakra would pour forth and swirl sand particles before him to create this optic nerve. With that complete, he would turn the eye to look upon the landscape behind him, seeing a large wall of trees. Quickly he would release the technique, obviously pleased he had remembered.

Daisan no me was now his once more..

Daisan no Me (The Third Eye)
Rank: "D"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: A technique that allows the user the capability of using their sand to where they can create an eye. This eye of sand is used for spying purposes and information gathering purposes. A simple technique known within the Sand Regiments.
Special: ---
Drawback: When the user uses this technique they are unable to use one of their eyes. Reasons for this is because they need to be capable of seeing and the mind is unable to process so many images. Lack of better words the user litterally uses his own eye to see by using Sand. When the user learns this very technique the user is however only capable of using this technique within the distance of how well he is capable of controlling Sand.
Description: The user creates a simple eye that is in the color of brown. The sand is condensed to the point it solidifies and looks like that of an eye. The user keeps a small string of sand that is lined with chakra in order to allow the user to still see.
Limit: Must have the Sand Release, Must know Sand Control.

[Zetsumei]

+10

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[0|10]

The memory of the first offensive technique he was taught would follow the Third Eye technique very soon after. One of the most basic of Shinobi tools, the Shuriken, was important to keep on you at all times. In the desert however that was not always possible, so instead his father taught him a technique that made up for this using the very earth around him. Summoning sand from within his gourd, the cork wold shoot off to the side as he allowed the field of sand to flow around him. He could feel his chakra leaving his body in slow amounts, maintaining the hover of his sand. "Hn.. good so far." he thought as he pushed his chakra forth from his tenketsu, now the creation process would begin.

Making hand seals, he would carefull go through each one with careful percision, making sure that he got them just right. As he did this, the image of his hands would move within his head, the small hands of an eager child. Both would come to an end, the Tenketsu on his body erupting with chakra, he would channel the power through his body. Pushing it outward, the chakra would reach the barrier, hsi skin keeping it in place. Slowly, he would work his chakra through, forcing it to the outside where it would mix with the sand field that hovered around him. Fifty Shuriken my boy.. the voice echoed within his head. That was the number he was forced to create, or else he would be forced to go without supper that night.

Slowly, the sand particles would be attracted towards each other. Each particle reacted as if it knew what it's specific job was, moving to fit into the shape of a shuriken. For several moments, all one could hear was the loud shifting of several meters of sand, being converted into a weapon for this young man. One by one, they would appear within the field, deadly weapons made from sand in the image of a shuriken. Each one would be an exact copy of the weapon, sharp as if they were made from the same steal, from the same black smiths of his country that generally made them. Passive eyes would stare forth as he looked for a target to use them upon. The final test was soon upon him, to make sure that they were the proper density.

Packing them together one last time with a burst of chakra, the man would effortlessly give motion to his weapons. Whistling sharply through the air, the Sand Shuirken would move on a deadly course for the tree in front of them, spot on it seemed. The loud clunk of shuriken would be heard, almost endlessly, for the next minute or so as they all found their way into the tree, embedded deeply. The chakra drain was minimal, thankfully, so he would simply smirk as his creations turned back into sand and slid down the tree, able to try again. The sand would then lift off of the ground, moving once more back into his sand field. Hand seals would be formed once more, just to be sure. Not surprised, the Sand would once more form into the perfect replica of a shuriken.

Heh..

Suna Shuriken no Jutsu (Sand Shuriken Technique)
Rank: "D"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user is capable of creating numerous amounts of sharp like shurikens by using the sand particles found around them when using sand.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A Simple technique that contracts the sand using the user's chakra to the point where it solidifies to a hard steal like state. Doing so the user is then capable of hurling the very objects towards the target. When learned the user is capable of creating an abundance amount of shurikens.
Limit: Must have the Sand Release, Must know Sand Control D Rank. Fifteen Shurikens per five meters is permitted within this technique.

[Zetsumei]

+10

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With the training complete, Saitoh would allow the sand to move back into his gourd. The massive sand filled container was his only means of defense, should he ever need it so he had to make sure that it was full and accessible at all times. A simply grunt would be made as he replaced the cork and yawned. There wasn't much left to see here so instead he would move on to another country, perhaps he would find some interesting sights within the country. Moving forward with quick speed, Saitoh would make his way towards the border, his eyes set upon the journey ahead of himself. Never had he been so far away from his home before, this would be quite fun.

Six Hours Later--

The many trees seemed to give way to a large grassy field, surely signalling that he was no longer in the same place he once was. Wind swayed the large grass strands back and forth as they brushed against his hands which hung at his sides limply. "Well, here we go again.." he whispered softly as he shot off into the large grass fields with above normal dexterity. Jumping every so often, he would be able to survey the area much easier then when he was on the ground. "What should I do if I encounter enemies..?" he wondered to himself as he kept his eyes sharp.

{Move to Kusa no Kuni}

[Zetsumei]

Moved

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Now the true adventure would begin, Saitoh walking off into the grass without any true sense of direction. It mattered not who or what he came across, as long as it presented him with something new and exciting to do.

{Exit}

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I would cough softly as my coat billowed within the wind. I had spent almost a year away from my home village now, my heart was starting to long for what I had left behind. With each step I made, the heavy gourd on my back would bounce softly as I drew closer to my destination. My eyes would close as I walked the path from memory, pondering what happened to the man I had met on my travels. The soft crunch of grass would resound from my boots as I travelled through the tall grassy fields. I had to admit that after a year of this, I would be glad to come back to the hard paved streets of Moyoushi. Perhaps when I got back I could contact Natsuki-sama and see what had changed. Yawning softly, I would watch as the capital city loomed closer on my left, however I had no intentions of even stopping there. My mind was made up, so onward I would press for hours.

Roots, logs, it was all making me irritable as I went. How could one stand to live and travel in such a mess? After all this time, I wished for nothing more then to burn down the grassy plains and cover them with modern roads. Even the pathways were covered in roots, and If I was not careful I would fall flat on my face. A scowl showed on my face as I went, this was all starting to piss me off beyond reason. My scowl would remain drawn across my lips until I saw what it was I was striving for in the distance. The border of Kusa no Kuni and Hi no Kuni was looming ever closer. With a soft sigh I would start to bounce more light heartidly with each step. It had been quite some time since I had been anywhere else, perhaps I would find something interesting to do on my way back.

Minutes would turn to hours as I walked, however I was too lazy to run so I would deal with my pace. Was I always so boring? So bitter and emotionless? Yes, this was how I have always been. Even after a years time I was quite the rock, showing as much emotion as a wall when it came to conversation. After about two hours I had decided I'd had enough of this walking, pushing my chakra into my feet I would move swiftly over the ground now, covering great distances with my gait. Every so often I would jump high into the air, landing playfully as I teased the laws of gravity with my high jumping. The skills Shinobi displayed were impressive, I had to admit that I was glad I could use them. I think my father would have been proud. As I lingered upon those thoughts, I would cross the border into a nation of large forests, Hi no Kuni..

[Tieren]

Moved to Hi no Kuni

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I would run my hand through my hair as I passed through Hi no Kuni. Even after all this time they had not changed one bit, it was still the same heavily forested area as I remembered. I would let my mind wander as I travelled, the only sounds being the birds chirping and my foot falls resounding with gentle thuds. The trees would pass with no true interest to me, I had never known more then the forges of my clan and the Sands of the desert from which I came. I would shove my hands in my pockets and travel carefree, ever since I mastered the Saton Release I never had to worry about surprise attacks. Humming to myself a tune I heard once from a gypsy in the desert I would bound across the lands with great speed. The heavy gourd on my back was so much a part of me now that I never felt it's presence.

Several hours would pass as I went, yet I saw nothing worth truly stopping for. Where were all the people that I would have once seen, normally when I came this way I saw several travellers. Had something new happened within this land I was unaware of? Perhaps there was simply an increase in outlaws in the area, perhaps I should have stopped to inquire with local law to see if I could assist. My thoughts however would then drift back to my true aims, so I would merely shake my head and keep moving. As I went, my foot would splash down into a puddle, signalling that I was getting closer. After several minutes, the smell of fresh spring water and the sound of a rushing river could be heard. From what I could tell, I was finally home, finally back in the land of river to see Moyoushi gates once more. I could not lie and say I was not excited, I had heard many good rumors about my home.

[Tenkai]

{Moved} :]

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[Exit.]