Protecting The Entrepreneur

[~Ji-Ji~]

.::Enter::.

Several Hours After Leaving the Village Gates[/size]

The obstreperous roaring of the waterfall to the traveling group's right would be heard as they entered the clearing of the forest, of which they had been traveling through for a short time. This waterfall would then break off into a tiny river, barely taller than one's foot; above it would lay a bridge, brown and worn from year's of use and little repair. Birds would flutter above, gracefully flying from tree to tree--they would not even bat an eye toward the three who were passing along; indeed, they were but another set of humans, and that was, quite simply, that.

The trio had been traveling for a few hours, having just about arrived to the destination they desired (As the Fang Country wasn't particularly far from Hi No Kuni; in fact, it was just about directly northward), and the sun was already on it's last legs, so to speak. The sounds of wilderness grew silent, save for the quiet, if eerie sound of several owls beginning to awaken. The boy known as Jiki, who would be at the team's lead as he had (not of his own choice) been elected as the squad leader, would turn to his other teammates, a few words barely escaping his lips, his voice peculiarly quite for his usual personality. Indeed, his eyes even averted from his squad-mates, but were rather focused on the waterfall nearby.

[brown]Let's rest...[/brown]

[/font]

SPOILER: Click to show

Working on some character development, I suppose. I'll cut it off here for responses, and then we can set up el' camp for the night.

[Misora]

Released a large breath from her lungs, her eyes darting from each object around her. It was truly marvelous to be outside the village with just two others. And, she was also with Jiki, thus making this instantly far better! She paused as Jiki turned, and she let her enthusiasm fade as she noted Jiki's somewhat off from what it was previously. She said nothing at first, and only nodded as she recomended they stop for the night. It was a beautiful place to rest, too. The hazel eyes of Misora turned from Jiki, and to the waterfall at Jiki's front, and smiled lightly. "I've got an idea." She thought to herself, her body becoming rife with joy as before.

The young Misora darted forward, her right hand reaching out towards Jiki's left hand, attempting to clasp it. Her left rose and pointed at the waterfall, her eyes narrowing and her cheeks flushing a soft red. She didn't pay much attention to her hand, nor Jiki's. She was simply trying to get his attention. And, maybe she just wanted to hold his hand. "Jiki-Senpai, isn't that wonderful? It's really pretty(Not as pretty as your art, though!) and calming! Don't you think?" She spoke, in her seemingly endless amount of joy.

SPOILER: Click to show

The bolded stuff is thought. Where it's bolded and surrounded by parenthesis is where she's thinking as she speaks.

[Artemis]

.::Enter::.

She was overwhelmed by the serene majesty of the place. There was just too much to take in at once, though having the Byakugan helped remedy that somewhat. Jiki had suggested that they stop for the night, as the sun was setting, and traveling in the dark would not be ideal. Misora, of course, had consented. Artemis just smiled, stifling a chuckle about Misora's unwavering loyalty to Jiki.

As Misora ran forward to hold Jiki's hand, Artemis couldn't resist taking out the notepad she kept mission notes on and writing this down. She had a tendency to write extremely detailed notes on every mission she'd ever been on, though that only amounted to three so far, counting this one. That done, she stored the notepad and pen again, trading them out for a book that she had brought along.

Barely audible, she spoke, grinning. "While you two lovebirds are busy with that, I'm going to do a little bit of light reading."

SPOILER: Click to show

She brought an Herbalist Knowledge Book - Grasslands along. If we're going to take some time to train, it might be a good idea. Grasslands isn't the right region for Fang (no Grassland region), but it's good to have for Konoha.

I'll probably pick up another book or three in Fang if we have time before the mission.

[~Ji-Ji~]

The artisan's focus would break abruptly from it's seemingly hypnotic hold as the petite girl's hand would try ti grip his left hand, forcing him to pull it away. In a moment of apparent weakness and bewilderment, he would scream at the girl, "Hey, don't fucking touch me, alright?!", though the very moment he had ended the sentence he would immediately regret it. He'd then lean on the edge of the bridge's rails, nearly breaking it's weakened frame as a result. He wanted to say something in apology, but he couldn't find anything else to say, beyond a measly sigh; the air was already unsettled, and his words would only further this.

His head would bob over to the direction where the woman Artemis would stand, looking her over once or twice, though this wasn't really in an effort to assess her attractiveness, but was rather just something he could do whilst in his bored state. The sun was setting against the waterfall, barely visible in the clearing; a beautiful site that even his art could not match. Unfortunate, too; if he could make something like that, his master would have been impressed. Though the air was still certainly not eased, he'd speak through a hesitant voice. "We're going to need to figure out our battle-formations before we head out. If we're unprepared, and there really is bandits out there, we're about as good as dead."

“The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.”

SPOILER: Click to show

Sorry, my muse is f'ed right now. I can't tell why.

[Misora]

Froze in her cheerful attitude, her hand finding nothing in it's attempt to grasp Jiki's. She was further shocked by his outburst, his anger. Did she do something wrong? Was it something she said, was his hand hurt? Or, maybe he just didn't want to be touched by someone such as her. She wasn't as pretty as Artemis, nor did she have any unique features that could be shown in pride, only ones in shame. Quickly, he outward joy twisted into a mask of confusion, and worry. Her face deepened it's red, and now adding into the puzzled, worried expression was embarrassment.

"Uhm, Jiki-Senpai. Is your hand hurt...? She stopped her voice, shaking her head as both of her hands touched agaisnt the railing of the bridge, just as Jiki had. Though, she quickly moved, and turned to face Artemis, her hands crossing her chest and each hand cupping the elbow of the opposite. Left hand on right elbow, and right hand on left elbow. She sighed slightly, her eyes turning downward in thought once again. "I'm pretty good with my wind, and I've got a couple of genjutsu abilities...Though, I uh, can also do a few taijutsu." She spoke softly, trying to mend any harm she may have done to Jiki. "What should I do to make it better..Maybe give him a drawing?[/i]

SPOILER: Click to show

(OOC) So, this will be the best freaking RP. Eva.

[Artemis]

In an instant, Jiki had broken the hand-holding, leaving a shocked Misora. It wasn't hard for Artemis to tell, even lagging behind and as inattentive as she was. Eyes closed, head turned away, a look of disgust on her face, she was trembling with anger. This really wasn't helped by Jiki's occasional glances in her direction.

No matter who it is, one thing remains the same, and that's your lack of finesse when it comes to speaking to girls. I wouldn't be surprised if you damn near broke Misora's heart just then.[/color] In the span of a few hours, her view on Misora's enamoration of Jiki had changed from sickening to amusing to sympathetic.

It would be best for everyone if this bond were fixed. I'm sure Misora would be glad, and I'll do most anything if it keeps Jiki from trying that again...[/color] The team had shifted to a strategy discussion, and Misora had shown her hand. Artemis calmed down before speaking, her hands slowly making their way towards the back of her head.

"I fight with the Gentle Fist style of Taijutsu. I'm also learning medical ninjutsu, but I still have a lot to learn there." She untied her headband, holding it in her right hand, arms at her sides. ...even if it means showing them this.[/color]

Removing the headband revealed a large scar slicing clean across the Branch Seal on her forehead. She remained silent, waiting to see if and how the others would respond.[/font]

SPOILER: Click to show

Step 1: Getting Jiki off the subject of Artemis.

Seriously, I feel sorry for Misora.

On a side note, this seems like an opportune place to reveal our 'trump cards' to one another.

[~Ji-Ji~]

It took a moment for the adolescent virtuoso to realize the damage that he had caused--or rather, the extent of it--but it all seemed to dawn on him once the petite girl's behavior changed, her exasperatingly cheery attitude immediately coming to a halt; he sighed a disheartened sigh, the full weight of his body now leaning up against the bridge's decrepit frame. This action immediately brought the memory of another being whom he had been acquainted; a man who held a weight heavy enough to age him well beyond his year's. The boy would look into the waterfall, his image reflecting back at him, and, for the most insubstantial moment, memories would flood his mind; memories of places visited, of people met, of things done--but all just memories.

His allies would speak of their own abilities; Misora held the power of controlling the air, as well as the ability to manipulate the mind; Artemis's strength was fulfilled with raw power (though that was evident long before she had told him), as well as through healing, something that was hardly even studied in the academy. Their abilities were certainly impressive--no, they were extraordinary--so that begged the question, where did he stand? He knew nothing impressive; in fact, at best, he knew several stances in Capoeira, none of which would be altogether helpful in battle. This conclusion only further discouraged him.

The sight of the woman's scar was something the boy had not expected in the slightest; not to mention the fact that she had a rather large tattoo--branding, more like--across her forehead,which had, until this point, been concealed. This furthering of the drama would force his right hand to his face, which would then proceed to rub his forehead in agitation. "Well, you guys are probably set for battle, but I don't have a lot in my repertoire." he'd say, a hint of annoyance resounding in his voice.

SPOILER: Click to show

He's still hesitant to reveal his trump card, unfortunately. Sorry it took so long

[Misora]

Turned her attention to Artemis for a moment to observe her features, and then noted the scar, and the strange marking. It didn't mean much to her, as everyone had their own scars, didn't they? She was unsure how to react, so, she choose to remain quiet and simply listen. Her eyes slowly changed from Artemis to Jiki where he leaned against the railing, his expression far off in memories, it seemed. Her hands clapped together, her cheer returning slightly. She may as well break it to Jiki, and make it quick. He'd hate her, but she was sure she could make up his lack of combative ability according to his words.

"Don't worry, Jiki-senpai. I have another strength that is designed for killing. I will make sure I use that to take up any trouble you might have, and I'm sure you'll grow skilled as you age! You're an artist, and don't artists have to struggle to get better? This is your struggle, and I'll just help you until then." She nodded her head as she finished speaking, determined to make sure her words become a reality, and to make sure Jiki wouldn't be disheartened. That was her job, now! To make sure Jiki-Senpai stays happy, and all his goals are met.

She took a few steps back from Jiki, and lifted her right hand, and extended her thumb upward. Her face was beaming, yet, there was still a hint of sadness behind our outward joy. She was not as bothered as before, but she was still thinking of why he would pull away, and be so down. She must have done something, and she'd have to right this as she could.[/i]

[Artemis]

[Yes, I'm wierd. Cue: Music]

Well, this was interesting. Jiki had revealed an insecurity in his own combat prowess, though Misora had tried to comfort him. Unsure what to think, Artemis stood there, her headband falling from her hand with a 'clank' as it hit the ground. Even if she wasn't too fond of Jiki, they were teammates, and teammates support one another.

"...I wouldn't call myself set for battle, Jiki. So I fight with the Gentle Fist style. Big deal. I can't use the elements at all, fighting at a distance causes all sorts of problems, and even if I am a medical ninja, I'm unskilled." Realizing something, she averted her eyes before continuing. This was not something he'd want to hear.

"If one member isn't confident in their ability to fight, that's one thing. If the team medic isn't confident in her ability to heal the others, that's something completely different. We can work with anything you can do." A lone tear escaped, though with her head turned, Jiki couldn't possibly have seen it.

"A medic has to know how to deal with any kind of damage that may happen. If you were injured and I couldn't do anything about it..." Another tear ran down her cheek, this time on the other side. "...then I've failed everyone."

SPOILER: Click to show

I apologize for being overly dramatic. Artemis does tend to get a little emotional sometimes. It's true, though. If the medic can't do anything about an injury, then she's not doing her part.

[~Ji-Ji~]

The luminescent orb had finished it's daily course, finally setting over the horizon at the team's front; darkness would immediately take it's hold afterward, and the first site of the moon, the sun's sibling, in some cultures, would take it's place behind them, it's glow reflecting off of the water to meet the gaze of the artist known as Jiki, whom would not be lost in a trance, but was rather just, quite simply, lost; nothing was registering now--nothing but the sight, the sound, of the wilderness about him; ironic, considering the very noise was what he hated most. He had immediately begun to hate this place, this location which brought so many recollections back to his mind; recollections of his master, his father, his mother--indeed, every person he had come to love, or in some cases, hate

[/u], in this very world, and all of them lost to him. He'd silently curse whatever god was watching over him, whatever almighty being (if there even was one) that cursed him to this detestable loneliness.

He would awaken from his insensibility in nigh an instant when the words of Misora met his ears; her very voice brought an aching pain to the artisan at this very moment--not because she was an annoyance in any way, nor because she was a bothersome woman--no, it was because of his previous actions that her words would pain him, even if they were for good, because he knew that she was hurt emotionally; in what way he could not fathom. But, for some reason, her words brought ease to him; if they hadn't, the unnecessary thumbs up did. A warm smile would appear on his features as he would turn to his ally, shifting his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I wouldn't call myself ready for battle, Jiki."

The words of his other ally did not fall upon deaf ears; now that he was in a slightly better mood, even if only a little better, he would listen intently. She seemed perfectly fine as she began her speech, but, as it progressed, she seemed be focused on avoiding the gaze of his; being the guy that he was, he knew the signs of this immediately--she was obviously uncomfortable about the words that would escape her lips. Jiki's head would bob downward, to the point where his facial expression would not be visible to any of the two.

"...then I've failed everyone."

The artisan would turn to lean against the railing of the rickety bridge, the moonlight lighting up his weary features; the sound of the waterfall would grow to ring in his ears louder than any sound that the forest surrounding them could make, and this brought cheer to the genin's face--for the first time in a while, he hadn't felt so alone. He'd stare at the moon for a long, almost endless moment, his gaze never averting for a moment; and then suddenly, without any form of hesitation, his head would cock over to the direction of his allies, a cheery smile on his face as he'd speak.

"We've all had our failures now and then; if we trip, we trip. If we die, we die. 'From the ashes of our failures we shall light the fire of succession'... That is what my master once spoke to me. There's no way we'll fail, so stop being so god-damn down! You're starting to make me sad."[/font][/right]

[Misora]

Turned her eyes in her head, her gaze reaching the eldest woman of their party, and then to Jiki. She looked at both equally as they shared their experiences. She couldn't help but smile, and despite the pressure of the air, she began to laugh. Artemis reveled her failings, and Jiki had shown a side of support. And to the young Misora, she could only find it ironic. They all had some trouble just as Jiki said. And, she'd tell them her own story. She stopped laughing, and began to speak in a light heartened tone. Her voice cheerful, and her heart light at Jiki's new joy.

"Jiki-Sama, Artemis-Senpai...You're both right! We've all had some trouble, and we're all still young! We're not the best, okay, Artemis-Senpai? You can't heal us right, yet, so I'll be sure to take all your wounds! I'm good at that, what hurts you, doesn't hurt me so much." She broke off, closing her eyes. She was going to show something she never wished for Jiki to know about, but she must prove her point.

Gently adjusted her shoulder of her right arm, and in conjunction with her left, slid the arm from the sleeve of her jacket. With a slight tug, she removed the black jacket entirely from her flesh and dropped it to the ground at her side, and lifted her right arm and pointed it upward. She didn't bother to pull the light red sleeve back, no, she'd simple smile. " Shounetsujigoku Misora. Or, Kaguya Misora, or, the monster whom uses her bones as weapons. At your service, Jiki-Sama." Her words became hollow, empty, and cold. Time was now her enemy, and she could not wait to do it. It would happen in a quick motion to avoid the pain. Her eyes winced as she allowed her art to form.

Bulges in her short sleeve formed, all just pasted the elbow, and two more. One in her palm, and one just behind her wrist. It hurt. Her eyes steeled, narrowed. Her lips turned upward. The light red shirt began to darken, and become wet as the bulges grew slightly, and then..The sound of flesh tearing. Each bulge expanded outward, tearing through the flesh that dared to slow it's expansion. Bits of skin tore off from her hand, and troubled to the ground, as well as blood. The sleeve around her elbow was damp all around thanks to the liquid that had given her life, and her technique. Her sleeve then tore in five places, large, jagged pieces of bone piercing the air around her arm, each in a arc over her arm. A large piece of bone extended from her palm, more for stabbing, and far more precise then the rest. Each bone was still coated in a thin layer of blood, and dripping.

Misora lowered her arm, turning it so she could see her efforts. Then, breaking her personality, she grinned, her instincts once again driving her natural urge for combat. She turned her eyes to Jiki, then Artemis. Her cold stare stronger then ever, and her lust for blood touching it. A single drop of bleed hit the ground, joining the small pool below her palm.

"This is my strength. I don't feel pain as much as you, so let me take the stronger enemies, Jiki-Sama. I can be damaged more then you both. [/i]

[Artemis]

The dark mood had faded from the group, and Misora had revealed her special ability to the group. She sounded far more confident in it than when Artemis had first met her back at the hospital, and Artemis couldn't help but grin. "That much is true. As a Kaguya, your bones are far stronger than ours. Just...don't overdo it, okay?"

Her tone changed slightly while still keeping an edge of amusement. "I wouldn't be so sure about the whole 'monster' deal. If I were to agree with you, I'd be calling my own sister a monster as well. In that sense, I would be calling anyone with a Kekkei Genkai a monster. Even myself." Her eyes crackled with energy as she awakened the Byakugan, proving her point.

"My eyes are my strength. I can see far further and at a wider range than either of you, so let me protect the merchant directly, whoever they are." Glancing at Misora, then at Jiki, she sighed. "Guess the charade's over. I wasn't born with this name. 'Artemis Hyuuga' is just a combination of my clan and an alias I created four years ago."

"Ketsueki Akane, at your service. I used to hate that name, but lately I've found myself wanting to use it once more. Either name is fine with me." Seeing blood dripping out from the area where Misora had demonstrated her ability, she facepalmed. Never a good idea with her scar there, but that didn't seem to stop her from doing so. "Misora...you're gonna want to deal with that before my namesake becomes appearant."

SPOILER: Click to show

Ketsueki Akane is Japanese for 'crimson blood'. A somewhat fitting title, considering all the blood she's spilt in the last few years (including some of her own). Also somewhat suited to her being a medic.

"Charade's over" is referring to how Misora prefers her normal last name to that of her clan. Artemis/Akane figures it's time to show her hand on the matter.

Yue Kaguya (Shiryoku Yue, if you want a non-clan name—"forced reason" for the meaning) is the 'sister' Artemis is referring to. They're not blood sisters, but it doesn't really matter to them.

[~Ji-Ji~]

Humanity is a fragile thing; born without claw to cleave, without wing to fly, with fin to swim--born of weakness. Emotion would be born from this very insecurity that it faced; many were born of hate, of malice, of evil in itself--selfishness, greed, lust. These emotions would spawn violence; it was simple at first, starting with nothing but the strength that they had been given, but it would further--first into a club, then into a dagger, then to a spear--this hate grew further, further still. Soon, the race that had begun weak would grow strong, for the sole purpose of whittling it's own people to death; those that had grown strong would become shinobi; and, in an even smaller percentile of this population, some men and women would be born of the very blood of hatred itself--a Kekkei Genkai.

That said, the artisan knew naught of what he belonged to, nor did he know of what the other two belonged; it did not matter now, for his insecurity would be broken soon. The calling of Misora would force his attention to avert from the luminescent orb that hung over them; his eyes were, though seemingly happy, full of a lingering weariness--this being only something he could understand. Or, so he had assumed.

"Shounetsujigoku Misora. Or, Kaguya Misora, or, the monster whom uses her bones as weapons. At your service, Jiki-Sama."

The dainty child's arm would begin to bulge--it was only light at first, though it was rather noticeable; whatever the case, it seemed that something was wrong with her--this was apparent on her facial expression which was, at that very moment, expressing pain (from what the inexperienced Jiki could tell). Blood began to soak her clothing, it's crimson-red conflicting with the lighter shade that she wore, though from his view that was hardly something to worry about. That was, perhaps, the least bothersome thing that she had done; the sleeve she adorned would rip in several places, and from her palm a bone would jut, covered in the crimson-liquid that was no doubt her blood; the bone was no simple bone, either, twas' one of the utmost finesse, sharpened to the very tip, enough to pierce the skin of another--and perhaps beyond that. The sadistic personality that had been exemplified in the painting that he had seen at the medical center would come to light--her voice would be cold, unfeeling, and dangerous.

Indeed, nothing like the girl he had come to know.

Then Artemis would speak, though his attention would only be averted for so long; the sight of what Misora was doing... It was fascinating, awe inspiring! Sure, a little abstract and without imagination, but it was something that he had never seen before; something unimaginable!

The eyes of the crimson-haired woman would change, the area around them pulsating with vein like structures (rather unappealing compared to her usual appearance), which she would later go on to be her own unique ability--she, too, was not unlike Misora.

Not unlike himself...

For but a moment, the boy's eyes would turn away from the sights that had enthralled him so--no, his eyes would not be looking at the moon, nor the waterfall which he had been so fascinated with; they gazed at the darkness that enshrouded them as his eyes would close, his breathing growing slow. He was to make a choice, a choice that he had refused to do so many other times; but now, in a place where nobody else could see, around people that could understand, what would the hurt be?

With a light push, he'd lift his weight off of the edge of the bridge, standing to face the two with a look of worry, of anxiety, upon his pale features. He'd look at the ground, taking a deep breath as he'd do so. He would then speak, his head not raising. "I suppose I should end my charade as well, eh?"

With a swift moment the artisan would raise his hand, jutting his palm outward for the two to see in the bleak light of the moon's rays, which hardly pierced through the brush above; it twas' only bright because of the water that flowed beneath the bridge they walked upon, reflecting and illuminating the scene. His left palm did not seem unusual at all, beyond a small cut that seemed to scar the middle of it; through a slight adaption of his chakra, however, it's true nature would come to light. This slit, which was only small at first, would open--it would not bleed like a wound, but rather would just seem to be a gaping black hole, as well as a set of white extensions--from the distance that they stood, they were, quiet visibly in fact, teeth; the intuitive one would probably infer that it was a mouth, if one were able to get past the oddity of it all. As if in response, a tongue would jut, as if in a mocking form.

Ah, but the show isn't over yet!

With his right hand, the artiste would unzip the pouch that was held at his waist, retrieving an object from it--he would hold this object out for the two to see; it was (or rather, appeared to be), nothing more than a ball of clay, white in color. He would dangle this near the mouth that was located at his hand, which would sit idle for but the slightest moment; with speed that was unusual for such an appendage, the tongue would snatch away the clay into the mouth, closing and apparently chewing it; it would continue this for several moments, spitting out the ball of clay again--which he would then proceed to manipulate with his hand, making it take the form of the Blue Jay.

A single seal would be formed, a cloud of white smoke appearing in the bird's place; it would appear to become a bit larger, though hardly more than it had already been--the details of the art, however, were still well and intact. With a very frolicsome grin, the adolescent would throw the bird into the air--it would then soar high into the sky, escaping out of the clearing that allowed the moonlight to get in. He would utter a final word, and then the bird would explode in magnificent brilliance, it's form ending in a final moment; unfortunate, as he always enjoyed looking at the design, but to further his art, it was for the best. He'd then turn to see the reaction of his colleagues, smiling all the while.

"My art... Is my strength."

[/right]

SPOILER: Click to show

I wrote this all from the heart rather than correcting and making it sexy, so like, yeah. I didn't have much time, anyway, I'm getting pulled off real quick. T^T

[Misora]

Turned her eyes from Artemis to Jiki, both had shown unique things about themselves, and she too had shown her own secret. All seemed to be ashamed of their strange, twisted abilities. Each, apparently, ashamed of something about themselves. Yet, they could not imagine what Misora was ashamed of about her power. It was not the pain, nor the strange appearance of it. Nor was it the pain it caused her. It was something far deeper then that. The petite girl known as Misora let her lips part, bringing her right arm to her opened mouth. Her tongue draped itself from her lips, sliding across the bone that extended from just below her elbow. Her eyes enlarged, her body hummed with life. Her tongue pulled away from the bone, leaving a long, shallow, cut across the delicate tissue.

The normally hazel eyes of Misora had taken a more green then their normal, her body twitching slightly. It was warm, as it always is. There truly is no better taste then that of what carried life. "It's delicious..." She murmured, her focus still being held by the blood that was her own, and that coated her shirt sleeve and bones. Her eyes drifted upward, and she saw Jiki. She couldn't register anymore then his form, and quickly became frantic. Her eyes went wide, her right arm began to twitch. "No! No! I..I let him see that?! No, I must hide it! She thought to herself, closing her eyes as a loud cracking sound echoed throughout the small area they had decided to camp. Each bone slid under the shirt, then the skin and into it's proper place. It burned, it was far more painful then she expected to retract the bones rapidly.

She shuddered slightly, letting her left arm drift over to her right arm, touching softly against the elbow where blood had stained the fabric. From her lips drained a soft trail of blood which did not notice. She attempted to smile lightly, her face a deep crimson in embarrassment. She tilted her head forward, her eyes closing and her hands touching together at the hand near her waist. A formal bow.

"Please forgive me, Jiki-Sama, Artemis-Senpai. I...I get a bit carried away when I see..." She broke off as she opened her eyes, still facing down. She saw the small pool of blood left behind from the bones that had tore open her flesh, and bled. Her attention and focus gone. "B-blood...It's so pretty, so tasty..." She said aloud, and once again shook her head, sighing loudly. Her head turned to face the water, and not the ground. It was such a bothersome, and lovely, addiction...Blood. [/i]

SPOILER: Click to show

I figured Misora would freak out and try to hide it while Jiki is around.

[Artemis]

Jiki had revealed his strength, a form of art that was a blast to watch. Literally. He had revealed some sort of...mouth?...on his left hand, which then proceeded to eat a chunk of clay and morph it into a small sculpture of a bird. Following that, he had thrown the sculpture into the air, exploding it like a firework.

Artemis watched, amazed, and a little ashamed at the pathetic scope of her own talents. "All this time, you've had an ability like that? Is that...your Kekkei Genkai?" She was cut off as she spotted Misora doing something strange, and her expression changed.

She lost what little concentration was required to keep the Byakugan active, and her left eye was twitching slightly. "Misora...what the heck was that?" As Misora gave a formal apology for her actions, Artemis shook her head, a slightly creepy smile drifting across her face.

"I told you my namesake would become appearant. An unhealthy addiction to blood, huh..." Leaning on the railing of the bridge, she tapped her scar with the pointer finger on her right hand. "I suppose we all have our own habits we need to fix. Mine happens to be bloodlust, if you haven't noticed already." She was glancing in Jiki's direction when she said that.

"This scar is the result of letting that get out of hand." Looking once more at Jiki, she gave him a look as if to say 'I know the answer' as she continued. "I wonder what Jiki's bad habit is, if he has one..."

She had been putting too much of her weight on the fragile old bridge, and the segment she was leaning on gave way. "Aw, crap...!" Toppling over the edge, she landed on her back with a splash in the creek a few feet below. "Great, now I'm soaked! This really isn't my lucky day..."

SPOILER: Click to show

I apologize for breaking the bridge, I can repair it.

[~Ji-Ji~]

"B-blood...It's so pretty, so tasty..."

His assumption was correct; Misora was not as amiable as she had attempted to appear, which certainly did not come as a surprise to the artist; the blood lust that she displayed, however, the avidity she expressed toward the crimson-liquid which she so admired, was... something odd, if not a bit disturbing. Indeed, the actions she expressed brought chill down the spine of even Jiki, who tended to admire even the most abstract of people, the most abstract forms of art and elegance--but that was beyond even that.

A moment of silence would engluf him, for he had nothing to say; he was many things, shocked, frightened, intrigued, bewildered--many things, all of which interconnected to lead to his final emotion of absolute confusion. This would be broken in an instant, however, when the bridge would shake suddenly, the sound a fairly solid object collapsing on itself heard within a distance of several meters, forcing several birds to scatter in all directions as an immediate precaution. What had fallen, however, was not even close to a bird; rather, twas' one of his own comrades (the crimson-haired, white-eyed woman, specifically), who would fall into the small creek that stretched below the bridge, soaking herself in the water's. A quiet laugh would escape, as would a light smile.

"... I'll gather the firewood for the camp, alright? You should probably try and dry off in the meantime; you might be a medic, or whatever, but I don't think you could heal hypothermia. Once it get's late, it's going to get pretty cold."

SPOILER: Click to show

I dunno', I wanted it to be short.

[Misora]

Turned her head as she heard the crack, and felt the vibration, of the wood of the bridge finally giving way under the weight of Artemis. Quickly, Misora charged forward to the edge of the bridge where the railing broke, her head popping over to gaze down at the her fellow woman. She blinked, dropping onto her right knee and letting her right hand latch against the floor. She smiled, and leaned over, using her position to maintain balance as her left arm extended downward towards Artemis.

"Artemis-Senpai, here. I'll lift you up, so long as you don't weigh over a hundred pounds!" She said, smiling and bright as she normally was. No longer bothered by any form by what she had previously done. Well, on the outside she wasn't showing any sign of it. though, she was still worried she'd be viewed as freakish by the two, or simply hated. She sighed mentally, her expression becoming troubled for but a flash of an instant before returning to the happy, and slightly worried, one that she held as she stayed in the position to help Artemis.

As she heard Jiki speak, she turned her head slightly to speak. " Jiki-Sama, do you need anything to cut with? I'm sure I could probably get something for you, or do it for you!" She said, nodding her head in an earnest attempt to become useful again.[/i]

SPOILER: Click to show

PSST, JIKI. Need a axe? Just pull out mah spine!

[Artemis]

"... I'll gather the firewood for the camp, alright? You should probably try and dry off in the meantime; you might be a medic, or whatever, but I don't think you could heal hypothermia. Once it gets late, it's going to get pretty cold."

Getting up from her landing place in the creek, Artemis nodded, an amiable smile appearing. "Thanks, Jiki. You're right, I should probably dry off before it gets too cold." Resisting the urge to laugh, she elaborated. "Actually, I can heal hypothermia, but it's still going to be really uncomfortable sleeping when I'm soaked like this."

"Artemis-Senpai, here. I'll lift you up, so long as you don't weigh over a hundred pounds!"

Misora had offered to help her up, but what had been said made Artemis chuckle a little at the irony of both her statement and Jiki's. "Exact numbers can be such an issue sometimes, can't they? For the record, I'm just over that limit at one hundred and three."

Picking up the wood that had broken off, she chucked the two pieces up onto the bridge before taking a quick, chakra-boosted leap off one of the nearby rocks, landing back on the bridge, though she needed Misora's help to avoid falling into the creek again, due to the lack of balance such a landing had given her.

The others were contributing something to the team's 'lodgings', and she tried to think what she could do to help. Her right hand drifted toward her medical pouch, eventually drawing out a small ceramic pot. "What's firewood without something to light it? I'm glad I brought these."

Glancing back at the broken segment of the bridge, she pulled out a few feet of the silk rope she had in that same pouch. "I broke it, I'll fix it."

SPOILER: Click to show

Ceramic pot = Doka fire pot. With a small chakra imbuing, they can be used to light campfires or can be carried in one's clothes as a personal heater. It only lasts twelve hours per pot, but that's plenty of time.

[~Ji-Ji~]

With all that said and done, the artisan would head a little further up the trail, intent on searching for the firewood that they would use to sustain warmth in the cold night.

SPOILER: Click to show

I'm going to use this opportunity to type a training post, and I don't want to slow you guys down, since they take a while. So! I'll be taken out of the 'regular' posting order (for now), and you two can bond, or something. In the mean-time, I'll be blowing stuff up for the lolz.

[Misora]

Misora nodded her head slightly as Jiki left to collect various supplies for their camp. In this, Misora decided would be the best time possible to ask for any form of advice out of Artemis. And, she would without any shame. "Artemis-Senpai, I have a question for you! Do you know any way I could fight better? I'm pretty good now, I think...But, I kinda wanna try and learn a few more things for my close range. I have to be more useful to Jiki-Sama." She said without shame, backing away from Artemis, and kicking her jacket off the ground with little effort and slinging it over her shoulders, the arms out of the sleeves.

She sighed, and let her eyes gaze about their surroundings again. It truly was a beautiful place to rest, Jiki-Sama had choose well. It was too bad she alone could probably destroy the area without much effort, but then again, that was what a Kunochi was meant to do, wasn't it? [/i]

SPOILER: Click to show

Sorry about the shortness, I figured we'd get to the heavy stuff soon enuff