[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH Non est ad astra mollis e terris via "There is no easy way from the earth to the stars!" Seneca Akira stopped, dropping the heathenous weights as he dropped to his knees in the middle of the desert. Even the second time around, he hadn't grown used to this insepid heat. Past Shutara fortress, past Asauchi and well through the mountains to Sekara had Akira gone - keeping the mountains to his right hand side. The task had been undertook and Yoko and he had parted ways for the time being, they would be meeting with one another soon - making ways separately. Time was of the essence. It hadn't been longer than a week hours since he and Yoko had abandoned Iwagakure no Sato. It was easy enough for the first few days - but he didn't know how much longer it would be until they set people out on their trail. And for that, they'd already had the perfect response and that was to leave the Elemental Nations altogether. Yoko had made way in an alternate fashion, they'd left together but otherwise had taken different journeys - funnily enough, even though he was the one without his former power, it was her who had taken the simple civilian roads and he who had taken the treacherous and untaken path around the mountains and away from the people. He had quite literally climbed over a mountain at this point, enduring through the colds what he had been wholly unprepared for (in expectation of the weather in Kaze no Kuni) and endured through it, until he had finally made way past significant boundaries and Shinobi forces. Luckily for the man, there were no sensors among their midst. This would be the last time that he saw whatever it was he had seen in the past few days. But right now, his body was at a halt and laid at the ground - this was far from routine. His reasoning had been simple - why look for him here of all places? They had no idea where he could have gone. They'd theorised enough. Go as far east as possible: and there laid one land that nobody would ask questions. Sekara, even Akira knew of its reputation as being a hostile area to everybody, even Sunagakure shinobi. It was no harm to him, even though he'd been warned to keep out of Kaze no Kuni. It had went through his minds many times, but for for the very longest time he'd felt free breaking free of the shackles holding him down. This was the start of doing good in the world and without the necessary need for a title: Tsuchikage meant little to him now he'd taken the steps outside of the village. He'd said his goodbyes, although veiled and hidden in his meaning - people would get it. In time. Not everybody would understand: he had just grown fond of his sisters and a family again that welcomed him, and now they would never know him again. Now, they would resent the man for his choices, hoping they never saw him again. Yet, it didn't stop the man from leaving. Today was going to be a fine day because he was in the last stretch to Sekara and hitting a T-shape in the mountains, before he would bid them goodbye forever in his rear view and keeping the ocean to his right as he traversed down the countryside and toward Sekara in general. So, for the minutes that went by and his stench didn't quit or his sweating didn't stop, his resolve steeled itself and he stood, ready to go further than before. Taking his time, the chains re-entered his arms, back around onto his belt. And there he went. Hoping that the ocean air would carry him to his new home.

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Some paths were meant to be tread, others were meant to be avoided at all cost. With the coming sit-down between the gangs of Sekara and those that called themselves noble within Sunagakure, it was now a matter of taking ground and assuming control of areas that were close, yet still within range of supplies. Even if Sekara had gotten lost in a the foothold that was made by Suna, those that still wished to fight and continue to live free of such ruling could make a claim for themselves. That meant raiding and taking what they could, securing their individual borders and making sure that it was known to all. So in seeing a single traveler making their way, the sound of horses could be easily heard at his back. Akira would soon shadows on the horizon, the blazing sun giving light to their image as five blackened steeds began to cross the surface of the sand, rushing toward him as they moved ahead, only to turn as they stopped in his path. "Well well...rare to see a guy out here without a caravan..." The random bandit would seem to rise up from his vessel, the scoffing of the creature that carried him, stomping it's hooves into the sand before coming to a calm as his rider approached the chain wearing man. "Ya got a death wish with all those? Or ya one of those monks that feel like carryin their sins around.." He'd wait for an answer, only for one of his fellow riders to speak. "Easy Daido...we were sent out here to find land..not hassle lost monks..." Daido would laugh, his hand resting over the top of his cloak as he closed his eyes. "Might as well make a claim right here....This here is our turf...pay up and maybe we can let ya pass through to the sea..." SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH Though his journey had been long since he set off, he had expected some resistance, but by the look of another Shinobi: not by being held ransom. His stomach felt like it was going to flip, as he saw the riders on the horizon - or heard them first. Wondering of the many things: and no cause of relief was given upon seeing it wasn't Iwagakure Shinobi. Just bandits. Possibly Shinobi. Akira had come to a stop, knowing that running would do nothing for him here, and watched them as they stopped his path. His hair was hidden by the bandages he wore and yet again not revealing much by the way of his face except those near glowing blue eyes without a black dot in the middle of them so at the least that was obscured. What treasures could he part with? It was true, and Akira had the contents of his life, or new life, effectively on his back: the only obstruction around him was the two chains that only very lightly whisked off the ground, sometimes leaving little lattices where his chains would scratch the floor. "It is called Vow Keeper." could he worm his way out of this one? They would search him, so that would not be good if he lied. He was armed to a degree, which at the least made him a target. Akira nodded to their point of him being a monk. Not quite. "A man of faith." he would only very lightly correct the man's words, only suggesting that he was correct nonetheless. Akira opted for the path of least resistance. Akira would unburden himself of the weaponry - and they would rightly thunk against the ground as they slid off his hands with the sound only a heavy thing could make, and with them off his hands he unclipped the two hooks around either side of his belt, a lighter sound of the two heavy thunks was had. It allowed him to pull the bag from his back. "I am seeking passage across the sea to Claw Country. I hope you'll appreciate that I need to afford that fare." Akira would put the bag down at his foot, and began digging out the bag's contents (at the very bottom, where the heaviest objects needed to be: as his shinobi training had taught him) he would grunt as he pulled out an item. A bag of coins. It would be of no use to him if he were dead, and he hadn't wished for that to happen for many decades to come. "It's almost everything I have." That was a lie. He something far more valuable at the bottom of the bag. He still needed to pay the fare to cross the seas, and though he could not get across without a currency, it was going to have been some form of value or importance to even people across the world, whatever their language, culture or currency. And that item? It was a bar of platinum. A literal bar of the precious material, and nearly the existence of everything in Akira's life earnings (not spent) till that point. It needed a more carriable format than hoarding bags and bags of money. So, it had been a gamble as to whether they would want to search him. Akira was somewhat banking on the fact that they would see gratuity for what it was and him being a pious man to be enough, or maybe they would sniff something not right in his willingness and inquire further. He needed to travel more than he needed to die and for that he would immediately give - they were lucky to have been struck upon the new pacifist and as a man unable to gauge their own abilities, and frankly: Akira was tired, and so even if a fight had started, he would only have much use as he had chakra: and that was off limits. This was not good, but he was still alive so far and that was all he could hope for. Would it be the wrong choice to part with such a clearly valuable material and expect them to be happy, or were they greedy? And to think it was his birthday in some six hours after the sun had set. Poor timing.

[newclass=.bg]color: #aaaaaa; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background: -webkit-linear-gradient(transparent, transparent),url(https://i.imgur.com/XFlY6F6.png) repeat; background: -o-linear-gradient(transparent, transparent);-webkit-background-clip: text;width:450px;position: relative; z-index: 2;[/newclass]
[newclass=.bg2]color: #aaaaaa; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background: -webkit-linear-gradient(transparent, transparent),url(https://i.imgur.com/4XOzHOM.png
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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"It ain't that easy Friend....we aren't just takin what ya wanna give...and hate to say it..ya just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time...and we need every piece ya got on ya..." With the drawing of a blade, Daido seemed ready to go and kill the man before him. After all, it was a lot easier to search a dead man than a live one. Of course, before he could do so much as move an inch forward, his body was halted by a hand resting upon his shoulder. "Easy Daido...easy...remember what the boss said..we ain't tryin to start lining up bodies out here..sides...lookin at what this man has..might be more valuable to bring him in and get em to spill as much info as he can manage...boss will be right pleased by it..." Daido would groan, eyes narrowed as he looked upon Akira before snatching the sack of gold pieces from him, nodding his head as he rolled his eyes. "Alright holy man..ya comin with us...and we ain't got no time for damn speeches so..." It seemed as tough as Daido was, he was at least willing to listen to reason. Of course, that seemed limited to the swift strike that would come upon the back of Akira's head. Whether it was strong enough to knock him out or simply disorient him made no difference. Before long, he'd feel his body being lifted upright and laid across a coated steed. What became of his wares that he carried would seem to be dragged along as well, prompting the riders to begin their way back to their supposed base. The journey was not so long, yet it would feel quite the opposite when seeming to be lugged about like a sack of junk. Soon enough, nightfall would be upon them and while they were no closer to Sekara than where Akira had been caught, it appeared as if the base was near an oasis. The smell of cooked beef and sound of music filled the air. Men laughed and moved to the side as the riders came in, tents lit as those within the camp looked on with interest at just what had been brought to their temporary home. SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH In truth there was a genuine flash of panic in Akira's eyes - though formerly would not have risen any more than an eyebrow was a genuine concern. There was a reason he had left Iwagakure no Sato so quietly. Akira's hands rose in front of him, one clutching the bag of money. "Worn clothes by a religious man are likely to not be of much value, and I'm not a danger to you leaving this continent-" Akira put his hands up in front of him, he really didn't want to have to do this - he didn't have the energy nor the time. But even so, he would be able to squish the man's head like a watermelon. He just really didn't want to nor have to try and find out whether he could take them or not. Though confused, he didn't know what information they were looking for - given that he had given nothing in the way of his identity and nothing in the way of who he was. This was not shaping up to be a good night. But, he "I understand." Akira would not keep his guard down, and his head would jutt forward from the blow to the back of his head. His hearing had gotten so much better than it would not prove to be an issue to tell when one was coming and the clear military training which made it obvious that with two in front of him, the others were also around him and cornering him - he his head forward to avoid some of the energy it presented. Akira was not so easily put down, but he could play along. He would drop instead of trying to remain standing - though fully awake and certainly with a forming bruise, would only listen out. If he needed to drop onto them, he was ready to catch a sword and cut open his hand while turning it around on his creator, but their mumbling and kerfuffle meant that he would intend on living some little bit of time. They had reasonably not taken his chains - too heavy, but his bag went untouched for the time being and he would be shacked up on a steed. They were taking him to a home base. So for the time being, unless they had given word of death, he would remain still enough. He had been coy with them, and there was going to be some hell to pay for that. Now it was gold, platinum - and potentially his life at stake. He had no concept of time, place or people: other than the now obvious voices starting to differentiate himself on account of his hearing. The night had set and they knew this area much better than him. All odds were quite effectively stacked against him, and there seemed to be so little chance - and surely he got dumped from the horse and hitting the ground, he was pretty much awake by that point, but otherwise passive in nature as he surveyed his surroundings.

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Get movin..." In lifting Akira up, his feet would be dragged across the sand as he was marched through the people that had started to gather. Each one would seem either confused or at least curious at the traveler that had been picked up, one of which seeming to blink briefly as they shoved through to keep in the path of reaching the much larger tent at the center. Soon enough, the curtain would be drawn back, allowing the riders access to the inside, closing it behind them as before Akira would now be a table, flames lit upon torches as they revealed a large man seated close by. At his side were two chairs, filled with the frames of tan skinned women, covered in fur that appeared from that of a beast. The man at the enter, built like a trained fighter, though just as much as sun kissed as the rest that seemed to surround the former Iwagakure nin. "Caught him out in the desert...seems that he was headed for port to hit the ocean...." Dropping Akira in front of the man, his eyes would narrow down as he stood up and seemed to look over the wanderer, his eyes would seem to single for one of his women to rise up, making their way over to the unexpected guest and seeming to take hold of his arm as she began to pat him down. "You not smell like this place..I have seen many come passed these lands...wanderers, holy men...monks...bandits...but you...you...." Pointing toward Akira as the woman continued to search him. "You not from any part of Kaze no kuni....you too pale..." Laughter seemed to come from those within the tent, booming as the bandit leader would hold one hand upon his chest as he waited for what the woman might find. Her search would soon fall down upon his arms and the chains that seemed to lay upon him. There was a moment where the woman seemed to hesitant, looking at Akira with a stern gaze as she struggled to lift them with one hand. From there, upon using both, she'd soon begin to work them from off the monk, allowing for the leader and his followers to look on as they could see the effect this was having on her. "My husband...these...these chains...they..." A scoff would come as the large man would cross over to the short haired female, taking her by the arm as to yank the item from her, only to feel the weight as it came into his grip. "The hell is this!? A single man walked across the desert with this!?" Chatter seemed to radiate from around the others, each one seeming to be muttering something to the other. "Hmph! You no ordinary traveler...you crazy too..." Laughter followed once more, though there were some that were more interested in the make of the chains, others in the trinkets that were being discovered from Akira's belongings, dropping them across the dust as some began shuffling through it. Yet soon enough, a hand was raised as the other woman would come to where the chains were held, looking over them as her finger traced across their surface. "Husband....they are made from metal that is quite valuable....perhaps that would be why he hold them close..." SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH "Mmmf." Akira was forced to stand and which he did with a grunt, and was given a route to follow which he did - this sand and dry ground was no good for his feet, they ached, he felt he was chafing, there were going to be blisters forming on top of blisters. He was worried about also being killed, so there were a few things to think about. He had his first look of their general. He was taller than all of them except this figure, who looked to be about equal. Akira was a tall individual himself. His chin would lightly touch his chest when being inspected, and he wondered if any of them thought he was actually a risk. So far it seemed like that they thought of him as a religious figure. That was true in a way. Akira was stiff in general posture but allowed the woman to disarm him, not that he had much of a say about it. He didn't like these situations were he was forced to wait for the actions of other people rather than him taking the route he wanted to take. If he was any stronger, he would have never allowed himself to be taken in the first place. Akira was not used to this custom or culture he saw before him, so it was all a new experience to him. "eh?" Akira wasn't sure he heard her correctly. Akira hadn't heard her overtly sniff him but maybe that was just his imagination. "That's right." Akira nodded. The truth. Inside the bag that had been brought, anyone searching through it would not find a great deal of valuable effects unless they went digging much deeper or turned it inside out on their leader's tent floor. Clothes. A map. Rations. Some trinkets and personal effects, a few photos. A bar of valuable platinum. One such bandit stood to the side-lines at the entrance to the tent with his hands curled underneath his armpits shoulder to shoulder with the others. "እኔ አላምነውም (I don't trust it.)" he hissed in the Saeko ancestral language. Clearly in facial expression was discontent. "የትኛው ቅዱስ ሰው መሣሪያ ይጠቀማል? (What holy man wields weapon?)" Back in the room, Akira watched the metal get snatched and the tension in his body on taking the chains. The orange haired man would not mention that this was his regular line of weaponry, and that weight meant little in motion. And the chains wrapped around his form would find their way into her grip. The same ones that ailed him no longer burdened him, taken from him - it already helped him feel lighter. He might have had a better chance against a leader than against a lackey - unless he somehow... offended their ways between now and being on a boat. "It's bloodline made metal." Akira offered an explanation to the woman, but only toward its origins without mention to its actual clan, the Tantetsu metal. "I wanted to leave the continent. Sekara is the only port I could come to. Take the metal, I am fine with being unburdened. It is a great weapon grade metal." Akira was only appealing to one person in the room, and that was the male face that was commanding the presence of everyone there. He felt a cold streak of sweat underneath his forehead cloth, already darkened by the heat and he didn't want to complicate the situation by revealing his identity. Well. Not like the first time anyway. "He can't be holy- must be a warrior!" another jeered from the side-lines - these people, being the factions they were tended to engage with the unsavoury kind. So, that did not surprise him. But, the line of thought could be reasonably traced back to being a ninja, with a whole heap of other problems to that end.

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Speculation on the manner in which such a man could take such tools and carry them, despite their appearance, was enough to put the group almost into a frenzy. Yet, as the large bandit leader would hold his hand up to silence them, the chatter among them began to cease, allowing for a moment to give pause as he started to laugh. "So you hope to use Sekara as a means to escape what hell you came from? Heh heh...sounds right...we all have our own hellish past to run from...but most men of your strength have no fear in facing it!" Resting his hand upon his side, allowing the other to maintain the hold on the chain, the weapon appeared to hold strength within it's steel fiber, giving all the more reason for him to claim it. "You get your pass...after you have served me....Take him to the hole...if he is some warrior, he might very well be of use as a tool...and with items such as these...someone will come looking for such a man. Ransom...right boys?" The snicker of the crowd grew before fading yet again as one of the members of the riders would move up behind Akira. Having heard enough from within the crowd at the camp, he didn't wish to play "I'll take him sir....Move it!!" With a hard shove, the orange haired wanderer would be pushed forward, prompting his frame to move as he was tossed over to the side. "For now...until we see your worth...you will remain our guest stranger....and I will hold this...your chain..." As the Bandit laughed while Akira was moved on, a frame from within the crowd would look over as she leaned in to whisper. "Guess that means ya gotta watch him...." "Hmph...you mean you do...I did my shift down there...ቦታው እንደ ሲኦል ቀዝቃዛ ነው!{Place is cold as hell)" The figure in which had first spoke seemed to scoff, their bandaged eyes covered over to they pushed their bleached hair to the side, moving off as they proceeded after the escort. As for Akira, the descent to the back of the tent would be short, only for them to exit as the rider would begin to work a bind against the man's arms. "Warrior or not...ain't takin any chances with a man whom can carry that much weight without barely a sweat..." In moments, a dip into a hollowed out cavern face would bring forth the faint light of flames. A line of cages would seem rowed out, empty but with faint traces of blood and bone scattered. Perhaps they had once been used for animals, now repurposed for more capable prey. In the end, the cage in the back would soon find a new resident, prompting the Rider to shove Akira within before shutting the door behind him. "Hope the boss finds use for ya...otherwise..." A imitation of a knife would be formed with the bandit's thumb, crossing it over his own throat before making his way back toward the entrance. It was at that time that the figure from before began to come inside. "He's all yours...hope ya enjoy.." "ፈቀቅ በል ..."(Fuck off...) As the woman would make her way toward Akira, she'd place herself against the side of the wall, lowering her head as she waited for her companion to vanish. From there, they would begin to speak as their covered eyes seemed to look toward the ceiling. "Sooo....what part of never come back did ya not understand?" SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH Again, another shove - Akira passively reminded himself that he was a good man and to liquefy the man's insides with a well placed punch would only get him killed. The mental scene did play out in a grand escape, however fruitless. Akira did want to smile because if Yoko caught wind of this there would be hell to pay, and unlike Akira she was much more ruthless. She would commit a genocide if Akira were killed - and wipe out these people, unless stopped herself. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. It did surprise him that they were not reasonable men, and that they would milk him of everything he had to offer. They were trying to make him a slave but even a god fearing man like Akira would not bow or bend or break to such a thing, the thought shivered down the back of his spine. That would not do. Even his human remains could not be forced to live as one. "Mhm..." Akira kept his arms still, forming a box shape with his wrists outward. Why? So that he could be given as much wriggle room as possible when it came to escaping. It would only provide an inch or so, but it was more than what would have happened if he didn't do what he was doing. Off they went, past the people and out of the tent and into the cooler air. Akira wouldn't say it just yet as to hold in his tongue and not regret what he wanted to say, but the cold was beautiful. From someone who lived up in the mountains, it was much more up to his level. It gave him the most reprieve he'd needed since stepping foot into Kaze no Kuni. Akira turned to face the wall and away from the cage's outward facing position, and went to his knees in a seiza (lit: kneeling) position. "And pray Jihi gives you mercy." Akira gave his own words of conscious. If that was all, he turned from his side facing position back to facing the wall from the brief intermission. He began to mumble. "And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know Jihi,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." it was not loud at all. Arashi's voice cut through any of his thoughts rational and not. [theme] It was the voice he'd always known, by tenor, voice, mannerism of speech. He didn't even need to look up at her from his sedentry position. It was almost funny. Akira was silent for one... two... three.. "It's always you..." It plagued him in a different way. "You have an entire country to run, but you're here... of all places. I was meant to be crossing the seas and to never set foot in this land again and here you are." His voice was somewhat monotonous. The orange haired man supposed he could let it down, for her. Both of his hands tied, the fingers pried at his face wrapping, and from it the strands would easily fall as he shook his head and shoulders. It was also a time that he could also test the binds. The binds did appear to be chakra enhanced, but there was no Fuuinjutsu to mention. Even if it took him a while to break free of the binds, he would be able to use enough strength at the very minimum to pry enough room to squeeze one of his hands out and then the other. For her sights only - she would also see his lack of hair, always having known him for having long, pulled back hair - now short. The shimmer of orange fire illuminating his sharp, rounded jaw like features and bright blue eyes he turned to face her and the front of the cell. Any thoughts of escape were funnily enough, confined for the time being - feeling a little more protected in there than with the woman out there. Not that he didn't enjoy hearing her voice, or that he didn't want to gaze at her. It just seemed inopportune. That they had argued on their way to Sunagakure where he got a telling off of a lifetime. He was still happy to see her even through it all. Akira had no true extent the understanding of their previous conversation - gone from his mind. "Thank you. For before. I don't remember thanking you." He walked to the metal bars. She had taken him alongside that other Shinobi for questioning - he'd asked her to keep him alive. She had, but he was here now. His bound hands would rest upon the bar in front of him. With effort, he could have pried it open, but without a direction and no supplies that was a pointless choice to make. "I left Iwagakure, and I'm already happy." He was staring at the space beside her feet.

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Tch...last I checked...this is part of Kaze no kuni..." Removing the bandages from her eyes, her hazel gaze would rest upon Akira, soon cutting off the contact with his back before running her hand through her hair with a sigh. "I happen to be on a mission dealing with your new friend, Janguo...apparently he isn't exactly on good terms with the Saeko clan and his actions aren't exactly popular in Sekara either. Still, I needed information so I enlisted...you being here just makes it more difficult...but I guess ya can thank your Jihi for that..." While she may not have a firm faith in the supposed god that many within the world were prone to follow, she wasn't about to go and start mocking it. She just had her own belief in something else. No more, no less. Yet in noting the change in appearance of the Iwagakure nin, Arashi would blink briefly as she looked away toward the wall. Clearly a lot had changed since they last saw each other, prompting even for his appearance to take a drastic turn. Not that she could talk. She was much different as well, though hid it well from behind her disguise to get in with the group. In hearing him thank her from what happened last time, her expression softened somewhat as he mentioned how he never got a chance to do so. Of course, how could he remember? It wasn't as if that much had been saved from that meeting. In truth, she was surprised that he even remembered that she told him never to come back. "You...don't need to thank me...if anything...you only got off because of the idea I suggested of taking away any memory you had from ever reaching the village. After that, it was more or less just releasing you close enough so that you could get back...." Narrowing her eyes, Arashi would frown as she shook her head. "Its just sad that even with you recalling that much...ya still doin it...all over...again...makin me wonder if it was a mistake...which is bad for you right now..." Crossing her arms over her chest, she'd continue to look at the wall before hearing him explain his reasoning for being here, now seeming to have managed to leave Iwagakure and with the hope of crossing the sea. He said that he was already happy just being away from the stone, leading to Arashi rolling her eyes as she allowed her head to tilt to the side. "Great...I'm happy that your happy...doesn't change the fact that you're still in my country..doing the same thing all over again...sneaking around...and what am I supposed to think of that? You say you've left Iwagakure behind you...but why should I believe that? Your behavior so far hasn't given me much to put stock in...meanwhile..." Pushing herself from the wall, the blonde haired female would place her hands behind her head, looking directly at him. "I am continuing to have to save your ass...every time ya get sick of somethin...or feel some type of way bout ya homeland...and it gettin to the point where I can't help but wonder just how much this freedom of yours is worth to you...do you even care that your breakin how many different laws and rules? That each time I'm draggin your ass outta political blow back..I'm literally risking a small state of peace that can break the moment someone even mentions the idea of Iwa being in Kaze no kuni..." Stopping short, the young woman would narrow her eyes as she glared at him. "Ya want out of Iwa? Cool..I get it...free will and all power to ya...but ya couldn't think of any other way of doin it? How bout tryin not to come through the nation that your home literally raped and pillaged?" That being said, the Suna nin would release a breath before leaning back upon her hip. "Now...is you runnin the reason why your really here or is it a cover for somethin else? I'm asking you...as someone who has saved your life...twice...ya owe me that much..." SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH Whether it was Kaze no Kuni or not, he needed to leave the continent. He was still a little jarred but that was an entirely different ballgame. She had chosen to not show herself fully which was fine - he had his hearing and he turned to loop around in his cage like a gerbil with nowhere to go. Taking away his memory? He didn't recall that. He stopped "Eh?" It had been somewhat mentioned in passing, perhaps, but Akira remembered his full journey. "My memory isn't that bad.... A warning prevails over where I'm headed." Frankly, against the balance of probabilities it was not very high on his list to consider, because he hadn't considered this would happen to it. A cautious tone that wasn't certain of if his memory was failing him or not. Somehow, surely, Arashi did find a way to sabotage and/or become hurtful. 'A bad reaction is better than a real one,' a random thought of his mind, for her to better come up with excuses than reasons. He continued to circle around as he spoke, not too bothered or mindful about her accusations against his conduct until it began to turn personal. He did stop, rolling his shoulders - the cold was doing wonders for him, returning much needed energy to his body that the sun had sapped away from him. To her - felt he'd proven in his actions even in spite of his human emotion of anger he had overcame it. There was light disbelief in his voice and the intake of a word forming in his throat and being stopped."It's me." Though his voice wasn't mad this time unlike so many of his other outbursts in the past, he was hurt. Hurt that even after all this time, everything he'd said could only prompt her to anger. "I loved you and would never have treated you like this... With such contempt and anger out of where you were born. I also wouldn't be in this situation if this part of Kaze no Kuni weren't home to bandits. The fact that you see me tonight should be enough that I didn't turn them to mush on my way out because everybody deserves mercy. Bandits or not." There was the temptation in his concern to press and pop the metal open using his bound hands - and an anger that would be more than sufficient to break open the metal bars but he needed a plan before anything else. The emotion in his voice was definitely creeping in some as was his voice beginning to become louder. Not by much, given that he did have a sinking feeling bandits plus Jonin Hancho didn't spell synonymous. Still, his memory did not remember his previous line of thought - nor his concerns or intentions and for all intents and purposes reset back to before she'd warned to murder him, and he hadn't a clue. Akira also recognised that one was not equal to the other: he could not offer reparations for the past from his position, but didn't feel it should have been unnecessarily cast unto him. Not from someone who should've been considered a friend, even through their fighting. "I'm done explaining to you." Akira was withdrawn in his voice, but the same in stature. "You can either take my word for it or not, as I told everybody else before I knew you were here. I can get out of this..." And that was true: this wasn't some special metal, it was a prison - he didn't need to prove to her or make his own case or plea of innocence. He just wanted to do it without death. If he'd taken the alternate approach, they might've never met again if he had chosen to try and liquefy the five bandit's insides with well placed punches. But he'd chosen the passive option. "I just don't know the direction to go." Akira said a little more quietly than the rest.

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Arashi listened...it was probably the hardest thing to do....listen to Akira.... Whether or not she believed him, or if his intentions were simply personal, it was still Akira. Something in which he was hoping that she remembered. Out of all the times the two had met, there had never been a moment in which they could not trust one another. Except once, and that had been on her. In the end, they had managed to salvage what they had and allow it to remain in the realm of them being friends. Until he began to rant... "Oh yea? Well who was the one to think carrying their lives on their back was a good idea!? Also trust me...if ya tried to turn em to mush...they'd turn ya into a puddle...or does your religion make exceptions now or just you?" In saying that, Arashi would sigh as she pushed herself back against the wall, closing her eyes. "Okay...that was a low blow..I'm sorry..." Placing one hand upon her forehead, she'd click her tone as she grit her teeth. "I'm handlin the bandits...its what I'm supposed to be doing...you being here isn't...and trust me..if I didn't at least somewhat care about you...I wouldn't even be talkin to ya right now!?" But this was far different. With the amount of times he had crossed over the lines, how he had managed to almost mock the very way of life that she lived and protected. There was a part of her that was still jaded. That, and it did feel like it was almost on purpose that he did it. Either way, it came down to being a more personal reason, and that was probably part of why she was so upset. As her expression softened slightly, it would resettle back to that of her serious calm before rolling her eyes at the mention that he could get out of this without her taking his word as truth. "Good..cause I don't..." Her tone followed a hand placed upon her hip, prompting her to look at him as he stated that he could do this, but had no way of knowing where to go. While Arashi had little doubt that he could handle himself in getting out of the cage. The matter of dealing with what laid outside was another thing completely. After all, this camp had over 150 members, that wasn't including merchants and sadly, slaves. Even if Akira did manage to get out, he'd be stopped by the first person to smell him, as with most of their kind being deserters from the clan, and be pounced upon the moment they saw him take off. As to fighting, she had seen most of what the bandits could do, and while they weren't much of a concern, their numbers were. Jangou was another matter. A mix of Sakeo and Aiel, he didn't have the sand techs to be a serious threat, but what he did hold was enough training in other techniques to make him a powerhouse. It was one the reason why after finding out that he wouldn't play ball or even attempt to try and meet the other gangs half-way, that there was something that needed to be done. Though what of Akira...the choice was clear...even if she didn't want to admit it... "Akira...I....ugh!...I'll help you..." A scoff crossed her lips as she began to take off her wig and begin to remove the veil that had covered much of her face. Upon shaking her shortened brown hair so that a few bangs would land across her face, the young woman would let the sand across her skin fade to show her new attire as she drew her hood over her head. "Put those on and act like an old maid..." SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH Not sure if she was referencing mercy or the thought of using chakra, because he didn't need chakra - had she not seen the weight he was using? She was right in her own assessment - it was a low blow. It wasn't like he was a perfect follower but his intention was pure enough, and to have it questioned... well. While it bothered him it was no different to the others who questioned his faith. The man would have to let the other comments slide, because they were going to have another situation on their hands some point soon. He would pop open the metal restraints without a second thought, using the space to give him enough space to pull one arm out - and then the other from his restraints. There was no time to admire her because her request or command, rather, came somewhat out of the blue. No sneaking? "An old maiden? At my height?" Akira hissed, "You'd have better luck hiding Daidarabotchi." Akira did as he was told all the same, fashioning on whatever he could, having left behind the feeling of embarrassment for a renewed attempt at being saved. "So... you gonna open this door?" Akira didn't know whether by sand or by key, if she had it - his back had been turned. His hearing tuned out. "Least it ain't a huge wyrm this time." He grumbled. "Arashi, I... uh. If it's possible, if it's not its fine but... in my bag there was a bar of platinum. If they haven't searched my bag yet they will soon, and while I could very much use it... I need my life more. If you could do that. Sand blip. Grab it. That'd be great. Not necessary otherwise." There wasn't any time for him to be coy about his state of affairs - and having what was quite a significant numerical value could attract a lot of attention his way and quite quickly. So then... how did an old maiden walk? Akira had not done such acting before - big and strong and confident? All the time with his wrestling. But... to be someone completely different? He had only acted like versions of himself when on missions, taking on the appearances of others with henge. This was utterly different, and he was already feeling the pressure of an otherwise simple task. Couldn't have just snuck out, could they?!

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[Oonakayama Arashi]

Theres is no easy way from earth to the stars TAG. @akira WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Akira may have complained about what he was being told to do, but it likely was the only way to save his skin. At the very least, it would mask his escape long enough so that he could get far away. As for her, she had another role she'd have to fill. At least for the time being. "Look...ya remember being a shinobi right? Fill the role....right now I'm supposed to be a bandit whom is watching a supposed gold mine. I can't just run off in that look and attempt to come back later once your gone. I have to maintain that cover for a long as I can...for a lot of a reasons..." That said, Arashi would continue to watch Akira as he dressed himself, soon looking away as to give some privacy. "So rather than go as her..I'm going to distract them as myself...within the chaos..ya can sneak out among the runners and get back to...where ya want to go...just as an old woman and not a wanted man..." A smirk crossed her lips as she then looked over at him, doing her best to hold back the growing laughter as she coughed into her hand. He did look a bit silly, and it would be hard for him to play a old woman. Still, with his training, he should be able to pull it off, prompting her to see his appearance before then looking at the lock as she could see now that his hands were free. "That one shouldn't be an issue...give me a sec..." Summoning a thin line of sand, the female would focus it as it drew near the lock upon the cage. As the line of dust slid through, she'd continue to look at it as she leaned in close to listen in on a specific click and then look up as Akira continued to speak. While the joke of the situation not being like before was enough to put a smile on her face, it was easily taken away in hearing of something else the man wanted to do. He wanted her to get a bar of platinum that he had brought with him, from his previous captors. "Wait what?" He would continue to explain how if she could blip herself over and take it, it would be very appreciated. Though not really all that important, it seemed that the value of something so rare would outweigh a lot of things. Except maybe his life. "Dude...ya killin me..." Narrowing her eyes, she'd roll them briefly before drawing back for a moment. "First off...thats not what its called...'Sand blipping'? Really? Second...even if I did try and do that...the moment I attempted to grab it, they would see me on sight. Especially since I'd be a gust of dust floating around with a metal bar...I wouldn't be able to get it that way...not to mention that it is totally irrelevant to gettin you out of here..." Still, she could somewhat understand why he might want it. If not for personal reasons, than monetary. After all, he'd have nothing once he crossed the seas. He'd need to start his life all over again. Or at least, that was what he wanted to do. "If you want it that badly...we'll have to do by gettin to the item and stealing it back....mostly with distraction and hoping on how stupid these people are..." That said, she'd hear the click of the lock as she drew the door open and released a breath. "Which I can do...but you gotta be the one to take it and act the hell outta being an old maid...got it?" SPOILER: Click to show -S.A Used- Ultimate Defense A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike. -Jutsu Used- -Items Used- -Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

[attr="class","bg"]REBIRTH "I was a tool of destruction, not a common performer!" again, Akira hissed while he changed. While people held their lives in the ability to act and change their face it was some subject of soreness for no apparent reason. She was going to create a gap for them and that was good - being herself here would throw bandits into a frenzy, given that a custodian of the desert would spell enough problems for them, and one to allow him out. Then she could phase back in unharmed, unchanged, and back to whatever reality it was she was living. The door opened, and with it - a woman in a blanket around their face. Akira supposed he would need to hunch over something, and so... walk like a gorilla? Akira had seen it from Taki's play and from the many summons that he had fought with Midori's help. But... how did old women walk? It would put him severely off balance. But that was necessary he supposed. One to keep him alive. His honesty had been a likely refreshing instance for her, because she didn't seem to get plastered with requests much - the second instance of annoyance given that he'd asked her a completely new request on top of her danger inducing stunt, all for him. Which he appreciated. "'sfine, I wasn't assumin... i think. y'know." His garbled dismissiveness of his life's savings was a sight to behold. If he had chosen the most rural location, they would have given him the best place of the lot - and still be unable to liquidate the money it would provide without making a big fuss. "I'll save it milord," he tried his attempt of an old woman. "best not to speak..." he cleared his throat. Back out into the warmth again. Not the heat. His body already was hurting. The man stepped outside the cell and for which would be in her close proximity for the last time before he went to hunch his back. He stretched. "Admit it. I make your life exciting. " Akira walked off before she could answer, his body contorting closer to the floor as they got closer to the exit of the cave prison. That was him making fun and light of a situation as a coping mechanism for the stress and for the fact he would never be seeing her again after... whatever this was, ended. The light brightened toward the end of the cave and then cuffed off back into darkness - making it a rather difficult discussion for Akira to know where he was beyond the light of the camp, into the warm, dry air. It gave him an opportunity to survey in the mean time, and he hadn't just escaped from the hole just to be seen immediately: creeping up it while he looked out into the world. Though there was noise and talk buzzing from their immediate north Akira had no concept to base off whether this was an enhanced buzz or the normal anticipated mood for the night. All that he knew was that he needed a weapon to defend himself with fast. So, his eyes darted for a tent - one sizeable enough to maybe hide underneath his new robes, all draped up like some ... old lady. What was their culture? Did he have to speak or bow? Were these 'old lady bandits' slaves or something else? Damn it all - he would wait for Arashi's orders or signal, whichever came first.

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