The Challenge of Silence.[Open]

['Kuuhaku]

"How rare, Athos is of the quiet culture," muttered Toumei unconsciously as he slid out from a empty alley. The buildings around mainly consisted of white stone, even the alley he just arrived from seemed somewhat bright here. This was the only displeasure of the area, the sky was clear and the sun pelted the ground. He felt sick just standing. His head introduced with new aches every time he even glimpsed at the sun, it was difficult to think a land like this existed in the cloud country. It was what some would call an ideal spot to live, if not for the population that adorned this area. You had to be of some high ranking status to fit in here, be it master or just business men. From the glimpses around you could tell everyone played to be quite wealthy, something he could hardly afford to imagine.

Luxury made you lazy, he didn't think of this as a favorable reaction at all. He strolled down the streets, brushed with the scents of foods or perfume, colognes, even sweat. It was an intense mixture, but it was only growing from the more noticeable of areas where people tend to gather. He watched people swarm about with one or another spreading gossip or possibly late for something. The place seemed quite peaceful, at least when you didn't pass some group rioting or a large scale argument. You didn't need much brain power to understand that with wealth comes corruption and never peace. In those brilliant clean alleys you could prove it, smudges of ash or new blood laying on the ground or stone slabs, not much though so it was a clean kill. Would it really be of concern to mention this? He shrugged at the thought and continued down the streets.

When he reached one row it was silent, empty, you could even feel a slight wind chill that fit in no where else. But the silence beckoned to him, he couldn't help but find the places in which his mind could roam free. babbling in crowds wasn't a very sane action, too most they even found him as creepy or a looney. How off they were, he could see the faces of all the people he's seen in life, one by one, could one not sane do this? Perhaps, not likely. He pondered the borderline between insanity and brilliance, it was sad how similar they could become. Nobody ever seems to give credit to someone with their own laws to abide by, even if those rules are none. His mind continued to travel through distant possibilities while his body repeated the one foot in-front of the other action with a timed rhythm.
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[Sora Ao]

Scene 1: Enter

Ahh look at this ancient city. It seemed so peaceful and quiet, all I could hear were the buzzing of flies. The buzzing of flies feasting off blood. This was the more dirty and poor side of the country, rather than the fine streets of Kumogakure. It seemed such a dark contrast. I could see that poverty and crime could be rampant here. In the morning, everything seemed so damn peaceful but at night, the creature was awakened. The poverty around the area that I was in was the result of great cities like Kumogakure hogging all the money and power for themselves to prepare for war. It was a pity that this village only needed a bit of money to become a better place but still all the resources were drained for war. That was the prime resource here. Humans. Even though the times of wars were gone, cities like these suffered forever and already, it seemed the drums of war started rumbling...

But that was not why I was here, to think about war. I was here because I heard that this was a gathering of some legendary fighters and warriors, some that I could learn from. I passed a beggar with tattered clothes that mumbled for money. I dropped a few coins and left this sight. A few boulevards past this I could see more of this same poverty here and there. More beggars, more hungry mouths, more poverty, more death. It must have been terrible living in this side of the village whereas the other side of this village was filled with feasting, alcohol, and fine warriors. I whistled slowly trying not to attract much attention. However, with my perceptive ears, I noticed a quarrel being going on. Two peasants were fighting for a little bag of money where both of them claimed as their own. For me, this amount of money was but a small allowance, nearly pitiful one. But here, this amount of money meant a lot.

They started pushing each other, soon into a fistfight. Each of them desperately trying to hold on to life. Then one of the men pulled out a crude kunai. I had to intervene now. They were about a boulevard away. The man with the knife threatened him and told him to back away. The other man soon flicked out a pocket knife. They started to duel. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me towards them. The man with the kunai jabbed with his knife but was surprised by his opponent's move. Crap, this would not look good. They fought more and more, both of them growing tired. One of the men's knife was disarmed and his opponent raised his knife to finish him. Quickly, I leaned over and blocked it with my arm. I was lucky I was wearing my black, metal arm guards to protect my arm against the blade. I took my right fist and landed a solid punch onto his face. The other man didn't know what was happening and I punched him in the face as well. Two unconscious men on the street, that's the price of intervention.

I polished my arm plates with my sweaty shirt and left this sight. I couldn't bear the sight of the pitiful state of the people. I soon approached what seemed as if the borderline of the poor people, and the more fortunate. I could already see more beautiful buildings made of marble and fine steel. It was almost like black and white. But then a curious figure approached me. It was a man. A cloaked man with sunglasses and a hat. A very shady figure, it seemed as if he was trying to hide something. Well, I always loved the shady kind. They seemed so interesting. I walked slowly to this man, each foot going at a smooth rhythm. I approached him and ask,

What brings you on such a pleasant day?

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['Kuuhaku]

Toumei crept forward slowly, still stuck in the usual thought bubble. The only things paying attention being his ears, passing rows of streets and windows, which after one came some faint shouts and a few thuds. His eyes slid to the edges of his eyes looking far off, down into the distance where small creatures battled it out. it was a one sided battle, the one who joined in took the two down effortlessly, but he didn't do anything more, a simple misunderstanding gone out of hand may have happened. Then small human trotted forward, towards his area unaware of the spinning heads, chatters and snickers. Toumei stood still, waiting for what he knew to happen. One finally made a move as a speck squirmed to the spot of combat, a few others neared but the other was off as quick as he came. Perceptible, all is fair in the game of life. But ignoring his ramblings he forgot of the other man, already approaching him.

He was almost tempted to run off pretending to be a criminal trying to hide something. But he didn't feel it was a appropriate to do so. But even so, his legs took an extra step, there was still silence to live in. The voice of the stranger took this effect away, "What brings you on such a pleasant day?" It was a civil greeting, especially for one who had just punched two humans into submission and caused possible robbery. Behind shaded glasses and his hood he held a bored stare, a cloud shinobi he was. It didn't matter to him though, another future opponent. But as the silence grew strong again he spoke before the effects wore off,"A stroll." He said casually, keeping the conversation short was fine with him. "And you?" He commented with a robotic tone, void of any emotional meanings. He felt it was right to be at the most civil, even though they didn't appear to meet on the most civil of places.

The area was halved, on one side he stood, a land of the wealthy, buildings well kept made of materials like marble or steel. On the others was dirt, torn down building, stone homes, tents, nothing beautiful. The street was littered with dirt, poor cradling on the sides, beggars prepared to pounce when they had a chance. He was even being eyed by a few himself, did he appear to be all so wealthy? Children prattled along the street, playing or holding out socks or other items to have money dropped in. Even some children shot him glances, parents watching them expectantly. How clever, how disappointed they would be at their failures. Why would a shinobi be back there?

[Sora Ao]

Scene 2: The Proposal

This man seemed like the type I was looking for. This shady man seemed to be very powerful in some mystical way. With his shady robe and his straw hat, he seemed like a force to be reckoned with. I was planning to organize a team for the chunin exams with all the members I could amass. So it seemed that this person would be the first. I heard his voice A stroll. And you? This guy was very perplexing. I answered his question with a simple statement I just wanted to get a bit of fresh air. By the way, my name is Sora, you? I think we'll be... good friends. I extended out my hand as a kind gesture. I continued on saying Well you see, I was looking to recruit people on a team, in preperation for the chunin exams. I was wondering if you could come along.

['Kuuhaku]

This boy wanted a team did he? Toumei considered this sudden proposition for a second, was it a trick? He really didn't understand why one would just invite random shinobi to his team, he could only image the boy was a very positive thinker. There were so many ways they could turn on him, be it just for fun or if they were truly treacherous. His lips formed the question why, if he was to pick it up he wouldn't care Behind shaded glasses he continued to watch him with a peculiarity about it. If this was for the chuunin exams he wanted none other than someone who was of use. The boy left no impression as of yet.

He would turn making making his way down the street, whispering one kind comment as he took his first few steps, "Prove your worth." The common stoic tone rung out, he would continue walking, taking a right at the next street as he dropped his hands from his past actions, within moments of the turn he would vanish into thin air. He hadn't time to test the boy now, if the boy wanted to bring about the results he wanted the boy would need to prove it.

On the ground laid a small parchment, which would be found by the boy by the wind that carried it out into his sight. Written on it was a simple note, "I'll be observing you." He slid away without even lifting dust from the ground, no longer in a range of view for the boy. As so he continued on, finding himself in once more an area filled with business.

-Exit-

[Sora Ao]

Scene 3: Disappointment

Hmm, he was asking me to prove my worth. Prove my worth? What did he mean by prove my worth? I was the one proposing to him for the prospect of a team. Why did he judge me. Well it was certain that this man would act a little weirdly. I mean, who completely clothes themselves in black nowadays? Who wears a hat? Who wears freaky sunglasses? This man was powerful and he might be a trump card into getting me past the first part of the exams. It would also be another powerful person eliminated as my enemy. He swirled out of sight without a sound. Hehe, that was a nice move. He left a small slip of paper. I leaned down and picked it up, in rushed handwriting, it said, "I'll be observing you" I slid it into my pocket and felt a bit creeped out by this guy. If he left, then what use would I have standing around. I used my shunshin no jutsu and disappeared out of sight. Observing me? How? It didn't matter, he might be powerful, but I was no easy flea to crush.

Shunshin 1/4

The act is done and actors fluorish of the stages, I hope you enjoyed this excerpt of life - .exit