f o l k l o r e [ P ]

[ryo]

Wierd

The landscape of Kuma no Kuni was pretty similar to that in Hi no Kuni -- there was almost a homish kind of feel to the area. The looming trees, the smell of pines, the squirrels. It was all a bit surreal.

By now, Yahiko was hardly a remnant of who he was prior to his vagabond journey -- appearance wise anyway. Ebony strands hung quite lengthily from his crown. He truly resembled the noblest of his Hyuuga brethren, despite the fact that they probably considered him trash because of his defection.

Regardless, he wandered slowly through the forest, eyes as vigilant as ever.

[loyal]

Through your vagrant trek, you would notice a lone squirrel simply positioned stationary about five meters from your position. There was nothing remarkable or outlandish about it, other than the fact that it simply stood on its hind legs motionless, large black eyes constantly shifting about. Upon seeing you, it would let out a shrill chirp before it would scamper deeper into the forest.

Pursue if you wish.

[ryo]

"Huh . . heya."

Not many would take the time to speak to a squirrel. Yahiko, however, always did have a strange affinity to nature and it's creatures. He slowly elevated a hand, waving to the critter, but it scurried away; of course. Humanity had harmed nature enough for it to know not to trust us. It was sad, actually.

The boy slowly continued walking, following the squirrel with his Byakugan ; so he wouldn't lose it.

[loyal]

As you pursued the scurrying creature, the forest would continue to thicken as the sounds of nature would increase in volume. Your Byakugan would serve well for tracking purposes and about twenty meters ahead of you would be a single male positioned sitting upon a large rock, his form opaque by the surrounding foliage. You'd notice the squirrel specifically ceasing its retreat upon reaching the male and would almost seem like as if it were speaking to the seemingly vagabound man.

[ryo]

-- curiousity killed the cat

Not in this case, hopefully. As the boy continued on his trek through the woods, he began to find that it was becoming slightly more difficult to traverse the woodland areas. The lush underbrush was thickening fast -- he was going farther and farther into the inner-workings of the forest; where land had yet to be touched, or perhaps even seen, by man.

Or so he thought.

Up ahead, his eyes noticed the squirrel had stopped - but not just that: It had company. There was a fellow sitting upon a large stone and the squirrel had ceased it's scurrying once it reached this fellow. Odd. The Hyuuga deactivated his Byakugan at this point -- he didn't want to startle or seem hostile to whoever it was that had found his way this deep into the woods. Yahiko continued walking, eventually emerging from a shroud of brush, open to the stranger.

"Hm?"

[loyal]

The man would turn around skittishly, almost reminiscent of how the squirrel acknowledged your presence upon first notice, and would eye you intently. The elder was definitely of old age as his tanned wrinkled skin contorted even more in slight agitation. Brandishing a cane and waving it erratically in the air, he would cry out:

You young'uns always tryin' to cause trouble! I mean, back in my day, we were so respectful and had a decent sense of manners! Well?! If you are just gonna sneak up on me, like that, whaddaya want boy!?

His scolding would cease for a mere moment to allow you to respond. As he awaits your answer, you would barely be able to see a slight glimpse of what seemed to be a giant scroll although you probably wouldn't be able to tell such from such an obscure observation.

[ryo]

"...You'll have to forgive me. I did not intend to startle you."


Unexpected.

Stumbling upon someone of such age this far in the woods was not something that the Hyuuga expected to happen. He continued walking towards the man after apologizing, taking leisurely, cautious steps as he advanced -- he didn't want to startle him anymore than he already had.

"What are you doing all the way out here, anyway?" he inquired.

[loyal]

The elder would let out a soft scoff at your sincere apology and would narrow his eyes even more at your inquiry regarding his purpose for being within the forest. A reluctant scowl would be painted across his visage as he gave a bitter response:

What? An old weary man can't simply rest and enjoy the nature 'round him?!

It would be obvious that he would become increasingly agitated by your presence as the hand gripping the wooden cane would tighten. The squirrel on the other hand would quickly traverse up the length of the giant scroll and would simply stand on its hind legs at the top, looking at you with completely black eyes. Suddenly, you would begin to hear the calls of other squirrels within the immediate vicinity although the squirrel standing on the scroll would give no sign as to signaling the others.

[ryo]

"Perhaps from a retirement home window. I don't think someone of your age should be wandering about the woods like this."


Although his tone was calm and full of the utmost sincerity, Yahiko may have been pushing it with such presumable smart remarks. The elderly fellow was obviously becoming agitated -- it didn't take a Byakugan to see that much. Olive-colored optics trailed the silent squirrel as it scurried up to the top of what appeared to be a ridiculously over-sized parchment; honestly, what kind of scribed information would require a scroll of such alarming stature. He was curious about it now.

But such inquiries would have to wait.

From the surrounding lush greenery, the cries of countless furry creatures erupted in a sudden rising symphony. Yahiko recognized these sounds -- they were squirrels. He'd heard similar noises on countless runabouts in Hi no Kuni and Konohagakure no Sato. This, however, was strange; there were so many of them

"...huh. That's a bit unusual." he said calmly.

[loyal]

Unwise of you to taunt this elder so, although his visage didn't display such, this elder was rather seasoned in the area of combat and as an act of mixed retaliation and irritation, he would lash his cane out with right hand, the lower base of the stick positioned to strike you upside the head. Though it wasn't a lethal blow, it would surely "hurt" in a sense though the strike wasn't to harm but rather, to show you exactly who you were dealing with.

Boy, you better be glad you aren't dealing with Ouja.

Stress would be blatantly placed upon the last word as he straightened himself upon his perch, dark slates still peering at you. Still vexed by your utter sign of disrespect, he would turn his back towards you as he would spit:

You're not even worth the effort to speak with. Leave me be.

[ryo]

This was no ordinary old man.

Almost any human being can lash out in anger and do some damage, but the manner in which such an attack is done is what separates the average man from the above-average man. The old geezer displayed speed and precision that even Yahiko, being the ever-cautious vagabond that he was, did not expect -- and his forehead paid the price.




While he was, in fact, struck by the blow, the boy made not a sound; he didn't let the old man know that if it had hurt him. He flinched, yes, but that was it -- he held his ground and listened to the old man; eyes flaring a brilliant glow and veins bulging from the surrounding skin. Sometimes, his heritage just couldn't help but to shine through. And even though the man had turned his back to the boy, dismissing him as if he were a student, Yahiko would say what he needed to say -- and wouldn't leave until he was ready.



"Ouja, huh? If this Ouja hits anything like you then I have nothing to fear. Although, I am a bit intrigued that you were able to hit me, old man . . . who are you?"

[/font]

[loyal]

Ah, the flapping of your lips would begin to drag you into towards an arriving danger as the alternation in the surrounding ambience would grow more foreboding. Callously would the elder snap at your blind confidence. "Keep talking like that please." snorted the elder, already taunting you towards your imitate downfall should you keep with the disrespect.

Tanned digits would twitch slightly as if he wanted to inoculate the chakra needed that would lead towards the summoning of this obscene beast albeit you’d have no prior knowledge nor foresight to what this “Ouja” was. Acknowledging your inquiry, the elder would mildly shake his head as the firm wrap upon his head would sway slightly to and fro. The response was simple:

"I’m not telling you anything. Leave now."

What say you, white-eyes…

[ryo]

"Hmph. Make me."

Such childish behavior -- one might think that Yahiko was slipping back into his old ways. One would be wrong. They say that old age is like a second youth, and in some ways that was true; the elderly often revert back to a youthful appearance, size-wise anyway. Perhaps these methods that the vagabond was implementing would pay off -- perhaps he would get the answers that he so devilishly sought for.

Or perhaps, he was digging his own grave.

[loyal]

The elder would torpidly roll his eyes as right hand would dart about, formulating signs that would readily inoculate the chakra needed to perform a simple but potent technique.

You fool…

An ancient scripture would be imprinted onto the ground and with a billow of achromatic smoke, the old man would have seemingly disappeared only to be set on top of the mammoth beast that was summoned to him. With shaggy fur of alternating hues along with soulless oculi, the oversized squirrel would huff to himself as he’d readily scan the landscape, trying to find the pest of a human who summoned him forth.

UAI, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?

The voice would bellow forth, causing even the multitudes of trees to sway in its wake as granules of ecru sand would spill from the massive gourd holstered to the squirrel’s back.

Oh hell, you done it now.

[ryo]

[ exit ]