[Uzumaki Atagi]

Strive for others more than the self

At first, it’d just been a day like any other, for Atagi Uzumaki. He’d been out on a run in the countryside– the land of fields was just about perfect for it. Idyllic weather, as long as it didn’t rain, and today it felt great, outside. Sunbeams trickling down from skies that were almost entirely clear, save for the occasional wandering cloud. Mild temperatures, and a general clement quality to the day overall. Of course, he hadn’t been planning on working, having had no job slated for the day, so he was in the typical training attire, red and black tracksuit with a little Uzumaki emblem on the breast, packs of weights secured to each limb and about his midsection. At his breast, where the jacket’s been unzipped some, there’s sweat that’s bled through the navy tee beneath, a clear reddening of skin just below his neck characteristic of…well, him having been sweating for a while. In all likelihood, Atagi’d been at it most of the morning– not the type to have a set schedule, not exactly, but his internal clock served more than well enough, typically speaking. Even without external help, he oft woke up at just about the same time in the early morn when the darkness was just starting to be washed away by the brush of sun over grassland.

All that aside, the point being was that he still was adorned in the training getup here and now, on a dirt road inbetween the towns of Nishigō and Shōwa. A call had been put out– runners were sent. Three shinobi, whomever’s available. An emergency, the Uzumaki’d thought at first. A flood, or a fire, a sinkhole…thankfully, it was nothing quite so dire, but still urgent enough to demand a response as soon as possible. A caravan of goods had been ambushed, dispossessed of its contents, and the freebooters were off toward the nearby woods. It wasn’t anything special, content-wise– food, and building supplies for the suddenly ongoing projects and renovations in the country. But where there were goods and those too weak to protect them, there’d always be brigands, too. Such was the way of things.

Atagi paces the site of the robbery. A civilian, obviously the driver of whatever pack animals’d been scattered in the confusion, facedown in the dirt with blood pooling underneath them, arrows sticking out from their body– it seemed they’d been struck mostly on the side, the lethal blow most obviously one straight through the neck. A smattering of what appeared to be hired muscle, just as lifeless, whether bludgeoned or sliced or similarly peppered with the fletched projectiles. Emptied carts, their wheels destroyed or removed, sit eerily still in a line down the road. The scene was enough to dampen even the mood of a man as sanguine as the Uzumaki, a rare expression, not deeply upset, but lacking in the mirth that was usually present there.

He of all people knows where his talents lie, and it’s not in investigation or organization. First things first– await the other shinobi on their way to help, and come up with a plan to retrieve the goods.

In the meantime, he paces the site of the ambush and subsequent filching, taking it in. A cleanup crew was doubtlessly being assembled already, so he refrains from touching any bodies or moving anything around, itchy as his fingers might’ve been.

(Kisei Sachi Kyokujitsu Kagero)

aeron at thq

[Kyokujitsu Kagero]

Kagero had finally had his achievements recognized, chosen to accompany his fellow genin on a mission! And not some kiddie mission either, where he did things like helping with repairing the dirt nowhere parts of the country or helping some old lady across the street, but a real mission! And he'd been assigned to help experienced genin, genin who had participated in the exams right before he'd graduated from the Academy. This was his chance to finalky see them, this time not as an Academy Student but as a Genin! By being picked for this very mission he'd been acknowledged by his superiors, and soon was going to win the respect of his peers! The important ones, not the little kids who were on his own team, genin who've experienced it all!

The fresh genin had come prepared as well, his pride and joy carried on his back, a man sized puppet larger than he was. Thankfully it was much lighter as well, so carrying it was actually a lot easier than it looked. Unfortunately, it was still awkward due the sheer size of the puppet, the golden haired boy unable to run easily, and sweat ran down his porcelain face by his deep amber eyes, showing the minor strain. He really couldn't wait to be taller. Then he'd be able to carry this no problem. But as it was, the still taller than average boy made his way to the meet-up site. Thankfully even with the extra exertion spent carrying his puppet, he was still cool in the heat, wearing an open white vest with no undershirt, revealing his toned yet not particularly muscular chest and abs. He was, thankfully, wearing white shorts as well with a gold trim and looking like the desert nomad his family originated from.

And while he trekked like his family had, with a lot less desert involved, he'd reach his destination, seeing the telltale red hair of his teammate! And when he got closer, the desert son got excited when he realized he recognized who he was meeting up with! Well, kinda. Truthfully, he didn't didn't know him very well, or much at all really. Kagero had been an academy student while this older boy had been a genin after all, and he hadn't even really seen him in the village since the Chunin Exams. But he did recognize him as a genin, and was sure he'd be recognized too! No longer an academy student but a full fledged genin!

He waved his arms in greeting, picking up speed while doing his best not to trip and fall with his extra cargo. Heeeey! I'm here! Do you recognize me?! He couldn't contain his excitement, asking directly if he realized he'd graduated. Was a genin just like him. But his arrival, their reunion, would be short lived when the boys amber eyes rested on the stern looking boys face. Whats wrooonOH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL!! He followed the boys eyes to find a massacre before, bodies and blood all around. He'd been told a caravan had been robbed but he hadn't been expecting this. It was his first time seeing a dead body, let alone several ripped apart by sword with the smell of blood still soaking into the ground. His light skin got a little red as he felt like he might get sick. The reunion he'd been so looking forward to had turned into a horror show.