[RP Location] Kagane Village

[Oni Archives]

As Tatsumi's voice came into picture Eiji's eyes could only see the annoyance that would come in the future. Everything that transpired was almost like a death sentence and it was decided that his punishment would be left till they returned to the medical bay. If this was not even Ikki gave him a quick glare sniping at him with a signal telling him that if he did something similar to this again he would be erased. Eiji's solemn face became more obstructed with distrust and disbelief that these people were comrades in arms or even acquaintances.

How could he be familiar with these people if not only was he stopped from helping by someone's intervention but then received complete blame and was about to be treated as a pariah by them at a later date? His entire mind was already filled with the scorn he would receive from this incident and the difficulty and annoyance he would feel by staying with them on this journey. It would be like every other squad, or like being around the other Sarutobi. He chose the correct action but to others, it was a misdeed. His nature of calculation and study of a situation within a moment's notice always drew contempt and distrust from others. He always felt that he was within a world filled with beings that he could never fully be open with, never show his true face. He must always wear a mask, hide his true intent, his feelings, himself. To such a point that even now he would hide them as he pulled his hood down to give a semblance of sadness while within his mind he thought of how annoying Ikki already was and how to avoid him becoming a bigger pain in the future. He would show no signs of this on his face he actually looks dishearted rather than annoyed but it was simply just another face he wore to avoid the gaze and tedious nature of other mortals.​

 

[Oni Archives]

As Tatsumi's voice came into picture Eiji's eyes could only see the annoyance that would come in the future. Everything that transpired was almost like a death sentence and it was decided that his punishment would be left till they returned to the medical bay. If this was not even Ikki gave him a quick glare sniping at him with a signal telling him that if he did something similar to this again he would be erased. Eiji's solemn face became more obstructed with distrust and disbelief that these people were comrades in arms or even acquaintances.

How could he be familiar with these people if not only was he stopped from helping by someone's intervention but then received complete blame and was about to be treated as a pariah by them at a later date? His entire mind was already filled with the scorn he would receive from this incident and the difficulty and annoyance he would feel by staying with them on this journey. It would be like every other squad, or like being around the other Sarutobi. He chose the correct action but to others, it was a misdeed. His nature of calculation and study of a situation within a moment's notice always drew contempt and distrust from others. He always felt that he was within a world filled with beings that he could never fully be open with, never show his true face. He must always wear a mask, hide his true intent, his feelings, himself. To such a point that even now he would hide them as he pulled his hood down to give a semblance of sadness while within his mind he thought of how annoying Ikki already was and how to avoid him becoming a bigger pain in the future. He would show no signs of this on his face he actually looks dishearted rather than annoyed but it was simply just another face he wore to avoid the gaze and tedious nature of other mortals.​

 

[Oni Archives]

The tension within the vicinity was increasingly growing as Kirinji could not help but crack a smile. He kept glancing back and forth between the white-haired man and the individual who had tossed the spear. There was going be a climatic bickering amongst them and it was going to be enjoyable - until it wasn't. While Tatsumi was healing the woman the light "bloop" had caused the white-haired man's mood to lighten up and lose his serious disposition. Kirinji stopped glancing between the two and focussed his attention toward Tatsumi who was advising them to keep a calm mind. It was interesting - the energy that the individual brought. It felt as if his calmness could cure any anger within the area. Ikki replied, "You know I don't like tea," which Kirinji replied with absolutely no hesitation and great excitement,

"I do!"

In all honesty, he did not know if that invitation was for him but he hoped it was. Kirinji was out of his element and he knew no one here. His only option was to continue making friends until he reached Izanagi, or if Izanagi showed himself. Kirinji promptly followed Tatsumi and whoever else joined back toward the medical ward.

​

 

[Oni Archives]

As the ice cracked open, Kasami gasped for air. As she inhaled deeply she could feel the broken bones inside of her chest shifting, painfully so. It’d have been enough to cause her to double over, were she not already on the ground. Tatsumi arriving was a blessing in more ways than one, and she was already so grateful to him for taking care of Ko. When she was lifted from the ground on his stretcher of wind chakra, she remained still, though she could see past the arm that lay on top of the other in front of her face. And they could see her. She seemed pained, and drained, on the brink of passing out from the looks of it.

Truthfully, some things could have gone differently. Had she done what she intended without flaw, none of this would be happening at the current- hindsight was always 20/20 though. She could tell from the expression on Eiji’s face that she managed to get a glimpse of a few times that he felt nothing but contempt about the situation. That expression alone held prideful misdirection and judgmental hatred. He had no clue the action he had taken in the moment and what consequences his strike landing could have had for all of them. No... he wasn’t even considering it. It disappointed her, that he would choose ignorance over calculative thought. He didn’t appear to even be trying to consider why she may have tried to intervene on his attack.

The boiling waters between the other three men were calmed it seemed by their saving grace, so it was one less thing to worry about. Kasami let out as deep a sigh as she could manage, closing her eyes as she seemed to just float behind Tatsumi. At the mention of Ko being better, she opened her eyes and smiled tiredly. “That’s good.” Her voice was shaking, as she seemed to be pretty cold still. “I’m so glad. Everyone is okay...” Her eyes drifted shut again, voice trailing as it seemed like unconsciousness claimed her, but she was only resting. She could handle pain now, didn’t mean she enjoyed it.

It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d passed out from pain, and ironically enough they were ribs that had broken in those moments as well- when Ko was giving her her transplant. He’d opened her up, attaching wire to her ribs and connecting them to her fingers, so that when she reached out for the key to her freedom they would all snap. She’d pass out, and do it again, and again, until she finally reached the key he held between his lips. Right in front of her, as she was suspended in the air, his face so close... That face she loved so much. He became the only person who believed in her in her entire life, and he became the only person she’d ever loved- all in one moment. Her friends thought she was crazy, but... Well, maybe she was a little bit. Who falls in love with someone that tortured you?​

 

[Oni Archives]

...Some time later...

It had been quite a bit of time since they all got to the medical ward and got sorted up. By this point they would have all been resting in the same room, there upon the floor was a bedroll for Ko, Tatsumi having advised that it would be best for him to lay on as flat a surface as possible for the duration till he became conscious again. Aside of him was a square table where several cups as well as a large kettle of tea sat. The room was nice - and had more accommodation then you would think what for all intents and purpose was a hospital would keep. However, there was the issue of the miasma epidemic going around Naraka so most of their rooms were taken - this one in particular had been vacated here recently so there were some things still out and about in it although it was clean for the most part. There were books and scrolls piled in tall stacks over in the corner aside the door's left side, a sliding door that lead out onto a walkway with a beautiful view at the rest of the ward where Sakura blossom trees let their petals flutter against the encroaching moonlight, along this walkway was also several different rooms that share the same layout as well. From the right side of the door there was a bed, where Kasami would have been placed to rest up for the duration. She'd been examined and was found to have had some slightly fractured ribs, chest wall muscle ruptures and some extreme bruising but she would be fine. Tatsumi's medical ninjutsu mended her bones for the most part and her muscle tissue damage almost completely but she would still be quite tender and it was best not to push it with her ribs. Here within the confines the group would find themselves embraced by a very odd feeling. It was a feeling that would make them a kin to Tatsumi - almost as if they were high. This was an ancient art known by The Sanzou of the open path that promoted good fortune, peace and unity between people. This consisted of several different seal tags around the building, much like the ones that the group may have noticed in the lobby when they dropped off Ko in the first place. These seals in conjunction with very particular Sanzou ninshu would create an aura around the location that would prevent people from negative feelings and make them almost unable to even think to undergo any violent actions. Instead it would influence airy thoughts and demeanor and an almost too compassionate hippie like mannerism...explains why Tatsumi was always the way he was. There within the room he would address the group - adorned in his blue scrubs since he was back in what basically acted as his home he figured why not get situated and comfortable now that they all were where he could get in touch immediately if he needed to. Canary yellow bandana upon his head he pointed between the lot of them: "In any case. While you all take the time to recover - you are more than welcome to stay here. There are bedrolls in the closet, a small kitchen, and anything else you need I can almost guarantee you that this ward has the facility. I will go and have a talk to with Eien and get him sorted back to normal standards. Should you need me dont worry - I'll come to you. Aside that, are there any questions? Otherwise I'll leave you all to rest."=He stood there with a brow raised looking between them all after saying this, wondering if anyone had a question or two about anything to him. If they did not - then he would smile and nod his head as he exited the room.


((WARNING: From the point after Tatsumi leaves the room and everyone posts setting up to sleep you will officially be out of the tutorial phase and embark on this journey through Naraka without handicap. Prepare yourselves. Get with your team and coordinate. Settle your affairs. From this point, if you die. You die for good.))​

 

[Oni Archives]

Ikki didn’t really wait long when they arrived Tatsumi was always good to him in all the years they had known each other, this was no different. When they arrived Ikki was already calm of mind but there was always something welcoming about a kitchen. Tatsumi was reassuring them all as tending to wounds and people was kind of his thing after all. Ikki nodded at the whole spiel when it came to him saying he was going to speak with Eien. As much as Ikki wanted to be around for that questioning except he knew that leaving the people he was assigned to behind wasn’t exactly good face. He soon gave a departing nod to Tatsumi as he moved on with his ongoings. The only thing the lot of them were going to find in Tatsumi departure was Ikki diligently working away in the kitchen. His attire hadn’t changed aside from rolling his sleeves up and the addition of a white headband. The white headband was only prompted by a puff of white smoke as if he willed it into existence. What followed next was the subtle clatter of pots,pans, cabinets and even the fridge. It was one of the things Ikki was just naturally good at with no training.

The subtle clicking of a gas stove like music to his ears as he began to look at the ingredients he gathered. Ikki took a step back, taking a gander at the ingredients he had gathered before him, to those in the room with him it was bound to appear as if he were confused or perhaps even over thinking. Not long after some time within his head he had already managed to plot out the dish he wanted to make. A collection of bok choy, spring onion, pork belly, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, rice, and several other complimenting seasonings. The dish in question? Pork curry, something of a favorite for the son of Izanagi but he was more than happy to share such a thing with others. In passing one could find that Ikki was fast at work the sound of his knife to the smooth surface of a cutting board, a skillet and a pot being thrown onto the still burning stove tops, along with the sound of rice splashing into water with little hesitation at all.

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The sound of water boiling and meat frying until a perfect golden brown on its edges. He was fast at work even while his mind wandered his hands and body still moved in perfect fashion. Ikki was thinking about the true weight that came with his task as he began to finely chop the spring onions cutting them into perfectly thin strips and then followed up with the bok choy tossing them both into the pot with rice to cook nicely in the end. Ikki would’ve emerged from the kitchen with several dishes of pork curry. The sauce thick and rich with just the perfect amount of seasoning, flecks of peppercorn clearly present. The golden color of the aforementioned dancing down each individual grain of rice like a waterfall and with that a pair of chopsticks plunged just deep enough into teach bowl to stand as a flag. He would no quicker slide a bowl in front of each of the individuals who took a seat at the table and even place one wherever others chose to make themselves at home. Ths included Ko even if he wasn’t mentally present he’d eventually awaken to find a bowl sitting next to him as well.

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[Oni Archives]

Tatsumi was a very welcoming host and made them feel as if Kirinji was at own house. Upon entering he noticed the snow-haired man went straight to a kitchen and summoned his 'cooking' outfit after Tatsumi's spiel. The man left and as Ikki entered into the kitchen his stomach growled which prompted Kirinji to grab his stomach in hopes of silencing it. He walked over toward the table and sat down as he watched Ikki go to work. It was majestic - and word that would do his skills injustice but it was only he could muster. Yes, yes the pork curry, the sound of the knife cutting onto the board, and the burning sound of the skillet. It made his mouth water as he took off his jacket and put it over his lap. As Ikki threw all of it into the bowl Kirinji started rubbing his hands together in excitement. Man, could he eat. Kirinji was one of those individuals that just loved eating food. Regardless if he was hungry or not! Eventually the man slid the plates into him and Kirinji took the chopsticks and rubbed them together making sure all those little wood pieces weren't sticking out. It only took a second and as he was about to dig in he stopped himself, looking up at the man, "Thank you" and immediately started digging in.

​

 

[Oni Archives]

Kasami was quiet the entire way back to the medical ward, waiting until they were in the warm and cozy room that would be theirs. It had this aura about it, similar to the one that she had felt when she first met Tatsumi. It radiated through the whole temple. As he looked over her injuries and helped her bones mend together, she’d opened her eyes and was noticeably more concerned watching Ko. Seeing him like that kind of made her feel sick, but she couldn’t feel angry at the present moment as much as she wanted to. She wanted to find who did this to him and hurt them worse, but she knew even if she did find him- she couldn’t fight him. At least not right now.

As Tatsumi mentioned having any questions before she left, she waited til the others spoke or didn’t before asking her own. Her voice was quiet, almost shy sounding if no one knew her better, but truthfully she was just worried. “How long will it take for him to wake? Will he be fully recovered?” No questions about her own healing at all. Typical of her when it came to him.

She appreciated whatever answer he gave her, thanking him before he left and afterward she would just sit there on the bed. Her attention moved from her traveling companions to Ko, toward the door, toward her lap. She said nothing to Eiji, though there was a lot she could have. Why couldn’t he realize his mistake, why did he have to be so spiteful. Why couldn’t he just accept blame and learn from what happened. She definitely had...

Her hand opened in her lap as she looked down at him, frowning to herself. Why had it gone so fast? Why wasn’t she faster? Kasami was realizing she lacked in more areas than one in the aftermath of this situation. Her reflexes were lacking and she didn’t understand enough about her Rinnegan. It felt like an insult to the gifts Ko had given her. After awhile of just looking around she got herself propped up against the wall behind the bed and finally relaxed until the food was done. Her wounds were healed but she felt sore. Moving was irritating and she wanted to avoid as much of it as possible but she really... really wanted to go lay down next to Ko.

Sighing softly, she smiled at Ikki and thanked him when he brought the food to her, and thanked him again when he even made a bowl up for Ko. She looked at Ko with adoration before she started to eat, glancing toward Kirinji a couple times while doing so. Though she remained silent there were a few things on her mind regarding him. When they left this village he would possibly follow them anyway in search of Izanagi, so he might as well come with them. At least that was her reasoning. She’d rather a leech than a snake in the grass.

The silence was getting a little uncomfortable though. Clearing her throat, she glanced at Ikki. “You know him well? That guy- Eien.” She had heard him trying to reason with him like they were familiar with each other, but she didn’t know to what extent. She must have missed that part if it was said.​

 

[Oni Archives]

As they entered into the room guided by Tatsumi who seemed to start speaking a long spiel about Kasami's condition and Ko's as well among other things. Eiji sighed a bit, his anger was there, he knew he was angry, but he simply couldn't express it. This feeling, this calmness which tried to waft over the mound of negative emotions, dark thoughts, and sense of unease which was Eiji's entire self would be becoming an irritation sadly though even that could not be felt or expressed, Eiji was simply being erased. In his place almost as if personalities had switch or someone or something possessed him, another appeared. This being had no current name though emotions Eiji never usually allowed forward came to surface along with a mind that thought on a different interval than his own.

This new being began to examine everything that was happening but rather than taking Eiji or Kasami's side, this being simply looking around for a moment then looked at Ikki who was handing out bowls of ramen. The being sat against the further wall with its arms crossed for a moment as he listened to Kasami asking Ikki a question, he awaited Ikki's answer to such a question. After Ikki had answered he would decide what he should say or how to approach the situation as even in his mind Eiji was not in the wrong as when he got there he could see a fierce struggle between those he considered comrades and the being called Eien​

 

[Oni Archives]

There at the end of the corridor there was only the sliding paper doors and the onslaught of guards left behind it waiting in silence. The pale moonlight peeked through the shades off to the left side of the corridor and the room at the end where there sat a small person in a hood cloak that seemed to be the primary focus of all the guards stationed before them. Shakily one of the guards motioned with sword in hand for the other guard to go up and peek through the door and see if all was well. They all were shakey - something was at that door that had everyone in the building shaking in their boots as if the end of all things were just before them...perhaps it were. Slowly the guard approached and with great hesistation - finally he crept to a halt at the door, looking back at his companions as if to get affirmation that they were going through with this. He placed his fingers upon the door - ever slowly sliding it back at first as if to peek through the crack...but it was pitch black and there was no point in looking to that as a valid affirmation of a sense of safety - or lack there of. The door soon creaked open, slowly - ever carefully ever slowly until finally it was opened completely and the soft, peering darkness on the other side greeted the man. There was silence - a glaring silence at that to the point that the water outside in the garden's fountain could be heard in the building. Nothing... only silence. Soon the guard turned around and looked back to his team questioning whether or not this was it? However, much to his dismay he would find that they looked back at him - no, around him with eyes wide with fear, one of the guards in the near back actually screaming in fear - in realization of the truth. He was here for them....he was here for them all. The guard at the foremost turned back around only to meet the visage of two bright crimson jewels looking back at him in the darkness. It begins - suddenly he was snatched off the ground by a single hand and his body struggled there as he was lifted off the ground only for shortly after being made to go limp - as his neck was squeezed hard enough so crush his windpipe and sever the link of the vertebrae to the cerebral cortex. He was still held up as the figure now emerged from the darkness. Pitch black plate armor accustomed to that of the Uchiha clan - and a pitch black horned oni mask making its way over towards them. The figure's jet black hair flow behind him as he closed the gap with an authoritative pace, arrows being fired at him in great number only for his hand to reach down at his katana but only stay remaining there...it was still to the eye, but not in reality as the trained eye would be able to see streaks blurring the air as he held the body for a human shield and cut down the rest of the arrows deflecting them to the sides. Once he closed the gap a brave young soldier charged him - making way to assault him with katana in hand as an archer in the back fired an arrow with explosive tag attached. The arrow made it first, the crimson red sharingan - baring no tomoe only a shrunken - maddened looking pupil in the very middle scrutinized the tag, leaning out of the way while snatching the tag off the arrow at blinding speed, transferring it over to the body he held in his other hand. As the guard came forth to strike he tossed the body around and behind him at the rest of the crew; sliding off to his off hand while leaning his shoulder in the way of his downward vertical strike so that the blade was shunted off the armor. Whence the blade struck the shoulder - the soldier screamed in pain as his own shoulder in reflection burst open as if cut with a blade, then after Shi'No Ningen slid onto a knee and spun while quickly drawing and sheathing his blade, sending the male's upper half of his body off into the air, so smoothly cut he was still conscious - snatching the blade from his still gripping hand mid air before it tumbled down to the floor - and the explosive tag on the body he threw before detonated. On the otherside, those that were not taken by the explosion were left with no visibility on the other end and found one of them taken by surprise as a kusari with chain came through the explosion and snatched him into it, relinquishing one of their own only to receive in turn - the death of humanity himself, barreling through the light show as he then made short work of the rest. All was quiet now, and there on the floor was the hooded person. Through the darkness and smoke came the aberration of horror - Shi'No Ningen, covered in blood as he stepped up to the small figure on the floor looking over him. The figure was sniveling....crying, a sobbing mess and soon his hand came down to remove the hood from it while the opposing hand went up - to raise the katana he had poached from the guard before.As the hood came off and the face was revealed - something rare in occurrence transpired. Through the eyes of the mask it was apparent that the man's eyes went wide with fear...with shock.....it was only a child. A red head child from the Senju clan. . . Ko looked up at the man in pure terror, and behind him stood another figure now - almost identical with white flowing hair that seemed to materialize from nothing. The shape of a candlestick, sitting on the floor of the corridor molding up and forming a man as there stood Kami'No Shi: "Whats the hold up? You know what we were sent to do. We follow orders - nothing more. Go on, kill him.". The masked man peered over his shoulder in one moment then down at Ko the next with anger in his eyes...thunder erupted from outside suddenly, and his hand was ignited by lightning...the only thing after was the masked man's hand striking downwards...and with it....a cataclysm befell them all....

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Aberrations of a past not his own, these visions struck Ko while he was in his slumber - seen in the way that he tossed and turned and somewhat jolted before going back to laying there on the floor peacefully and still. Tatsumi had informed Kasami that he would be fine - and not only would he make a full recovery but it seemed as if maybe there was some developments with him that exceeded his health prior to this before. That he would be better than his condition prior - but the way that he looked when jolting and his sleep seemed most turbulent would make this somewhat hard to imagine. The crimson haired boy looked somewhat different, a bit older - definitely taller by a bit and like his muscle mass was more dense. Though the moments that he simply lay there seemed like he was in complete and total peace with himself. As they sat there enjoying their food and the few questions between each other were being asked - he slept, and it was quite apparent that it probably would not be till the morning that he woke back up. At this point there was nothing left to do but wait.​

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[Oni Archives]

Ikki sighed a bit looking at Ko that internal turmoil was something he knew all too well. Whether it was from the mask or the hauntings of his past it was something that could weigh down anyone. The sound of chopsticks clinking together from time to time as they all would inevitably eat but, before Ikki could really dig in he heard the voice of the young woman he was designated to keep safe. Her questioning tone only led to an inquiry about Eien and with that Ikki’s eating paused with a rather uncomfortable swallow to follow. He really wanted to tell her the reality of their entire situation but as it stood that wasn’t the best idea. Eien had his own issue and so did Ikki as his brother so to speak. However in passing he answered her to the best of his ability his voice deep and clear.

“Eien is practically my brother in every sense of the word. The only thing that truly separates us is our genetic makeup. You’ll likely get the chance to actually meet him in a less lethal situation at some point but for now… He needs some time with Tatsumi it’s simply for the best.”

He sighed at the thought of that, Tatsumi was really the only thing capable of keeping him in check. His hands moved to shove more of the curry covered rice into his mouth again. He really hoped that cleared up the air for her. The silence was uncomfortable but what really needed to be said was whether or not there was going to be an issue of trust. Eiji needed to work on his timing if they were going to be a cohesive team they really needed to work on their actions in combat. He sighed once more after a few more bites pausing every so often to ensure everyone was actually okay. It was clear just looking at Eiji he was a bit beside himself with the whole tranquility that came with this room. Ikki could only think to himself for a moment ‘That one truly is a negative nancy, I can only imagine what this is like for him’. His bowl was almost empty by this point Ikki had been mindlessly eating as his eyes danced around the room.

 

[Oni Archives]

Kirinji seemed to be fully indulging in the delicious bowl of food that the white-haired man had whipped up - but you'd be wrong to assume that he was oblivious to the ambiance surrounding them. The exchanging of glares, the tension in not only their faces, but their bodies as well. It was clear that they were slightly worried. But not all for the same reasons. It was an uncomfortable feeling and the silence made it even more uncomfortable. It was evident that there was an elephant in the room surrounding everyones relation with each other. Eventually, the silence was broken by Kasami and she began to question one of the elephants in the room: What was the relation between the mad-man and the white-haired man? While listening to the response of the man, Kirinji could not help but observe the man fighting his demons in his sleep. He had this look in his eyes where he understood and could relate to his situation. You see, Kirinji himself had been suffering from similar nightmares himself. He calls it The Vision of the Beast - and they had been haunting him for some time now. Every night when he'd decide to lay his head the visions would come and it was the same thing over... and over... and over again. Every. single. night. It consisted of Kirinji relaxing on a day off in 'Konoha' and then he would be confronted by Izanagi, an individual who he had utmost respect for, but this time he would be radiating a disposition that he had never before witnessed. It was dark. Murderous. And beyond frightening. He'd activate his pale lavender Rinnegan and point toward Kirinji telling him to 'come here' and Kirinji would do so unwillingly by the gravitational pull the Rinnegan produced. Kirinji would spring forth and Izanagi would hold him up by his neck - taking his soul away from his body. And then - it'd stop. Kirinji would wake in terror gasping for his life. Over..and over.. and over again. He very much understood the pain the individual was enduring. Ikki had finished speaking now and Kirinji could tell from the sigh that he was holding something close to his chest about his relation with the other man, but he decided not to press forward. Instead, Kirinji decided to uncover the next elephant in the room. His honeypool optics peaked through his peripheral toward the ice-spear using individual,

"So, what were you thinking?"

Kirinji asked calmly and cooly. Had the man not understood what he meant he'd point toward Kasami's injury and await his response.

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[Oni Archives]

Kasami was making eye contact with him as he spoke, her own eyes shifting in a range of emotions that went along with her thoughts as she observed Ikki’s response to her question. She could tell there were some deeper and more serious matters regarding Eien that they were not privy to, but perhaps that was for the best. Nodding at his statement that Tatsumi was the best to handle the situation she would look at Kirinji, and then toward Eiji. Eiji seemed the most disheveled about the aura cast across the Temple and she wondered just how much of him was even positive. He seemed so at odds with himself that it was almost like he just... couldn’t exist naturally in an environment like this. It made her sad, and made her wonder what kind of past he’d had to make him so untrusting of others and so... pessimistic- the nice way of putting it.

She blinked when Kirinji spoke up, asking Eiji what he was thinking as he pointed toward her. For a moment she said nothing, almost as if she was expecting an answer just like he was. To their surprise though, she brought her fist to her lips and cleared her throat, before she opened the same hand and waved it at the topic dismissively with a smile- a smile directed at Eiji. It was full of kindness and understanding, and although she knew he wasn’t entirely innocent, it was just something that would need to be worked on. “Don’t worry about it. It was my fault, I don’t know why it was going so fast.” Her expression did get a little serious, as she looked at Eiji with pleading eyes. There was a slight pout to her lips. It wasn’t a demand, she wasn’t even reprimanding him. It was a suggestion, a very friendly one, and that was all. There was nothing bossy about her tone at all. “In all seriousness though, evaluate more before taking action next time. We weren’t using lethal force, observing the movements of others would have helped you understand what action to take yourself a lot better.”

She cast Ko a sad glance and sighed, looking down at the blanket in her lap. “I don’t know what kind of past you’ve had,” she spoke softly to him, pausing for a moment before she looked at him with more kindness than he’d probably been shown in his life from the looks of his personality, “if you can run to me when you’re afraid like earlier, trust that I won’t lead you astray during battle. You aren’t a one man team anymore, Eiji. I’m standing there with you. And when we find Sentou so will he.” She sat her bowl down, her appetite gone, and started to turn onto her side, holding the blanket ready to pull it over herself before she paused. Her next words were soft spoken and sounded more tired than her previous, this time she addressed everyone, but her eyes were on Eiji in her peripheral. “Goodnight.”

And with that the young woman laid on her side, curling up in such a way that if she peeked over the bed she’d see Ko, as she pulled her blanket up to cover most of her head.​

 

[Oni Archives]

As the barrier continued to cleanse Eiji of what would be the core aspect of his entire being and the new enigma which had come to possess him would gain a soft awareness of its own existence. The expression of turmoil which covered Eiji's face due to the fact that his entirety was being called into question was beginning to fade away along with Eiji himself. A new almost eerie innocent and distant face came to take over as the talks between Kasami and Ikki were taking place and everyone was eating what Eiji assumed was ramen but was actually curry. This innocent face looked around as everyone was talking amongst themselves or eating with respect to one another. Listening to Ikki explain his relationship to Eien almost like a child listening to their elder brother tell them a sad story with meaning that they would not be able to interpret until they too became an adult.

After another few moments, the awkward fellow who stood out from among his allies the most Kirinji would speak up questioning his actions. Though had this been Eiji he would have stated that he took a read of the situation and noticed Ikki was being attacked, his attack would not have been lethal towards someone of Ikki's level or above which he could tell Eien was. But this was not Eiji, no this was a newly formed being who's mind, temperament, ideas, and entire being were still being formulated and crafted by his surroundings and his interactions with others. This new being turned to look at Kirinji for a moment going from an innocent awestruck face and turning to that of a confused child who was being asked by a parent why they knocked over the vase.

The confused face would shift once again as Kasami looked at Eiji. This time the face shifted into a grotesque eerie smiling face. This child looking at her almost like he saw something interesting but saddening at the same time. The emotion of sadness was not stopped by the barrier, no it was not even diminished for this newborn soul. They looked at Kasami and understood her pain and misfortune quite well almost too well. By this time Kasami had finished explaining herself and what she wished for from Eiji though the unfortunate soul and true Eiji had been sealed away deep in an abyss of white created by Tatsumi's prison only to be replaced by this child who stared at her with tears rolling down his cheeks. Even as he seemed to be crying he still held the eerie smile and spoke no words, anyone could tell that this was no longer Eiji unless they were oblivious beyond belief.

The real question was would the real Eiji return after leaving the barrier in the ward or would this new quickly growing soul born from the barrier replace him and take over his body almost like he had devoured him completely to take hold. Either way, one thing was certain, the tears that rolled down his cheeks were genuine sadness for her pain and what Eiji had done regardless of whether he believed it was right or wrong anymore. This child was truly sorry but did not have the mental or emotional capacity to express it the way they wished too.​

 

[Oni Archives]

Ikki started to clean the kitchen with a brief instance of haste. It didn’t take long at all, in fact it was a fairly short process having some semblance of training in the kitchen knowing to clean as you go. He didn’t really take much time to do these things ensuring he was rather quiet in his actions, but most importantly he was making sure everyone was okay. His eyes cutting from person to person as they began to wind down. He had already picked out his place without them even knowing even as Eiji took his leave. It wasn’t hard to see what was going on their the boy was a loon to say the least. Even more importantly he needed to get it together because if Ikki knew anything about Tatsumi didn’t exactly deal with bad vibes well. This of course was no different even in the presence of the serenity these seals brought to the room this boy was still acting quite abnormal. Feelings and vibes aside however Ikki would’ve finished cleaning the kitchen and pulled out a bed roll from the nearby closet.

He sighed a little as he unfurled the bed roll itself taking a position just outside the kitchen. He didn’t even really feel comfortable with some of the current circumstances given Eien’s current state and Ko’s as well. His posture was still relaxed given his abode per the moment and with that came his physique curling up on the aforementioned. His arms functioning as a pillow to support his curly snow white hair. He knew he couldn’t do much more than worry about the people he cared about in every regard, even those who had been under his charge in the few hours he met with them. In the end the entirety of his arrival here was due to that young man with the book. A nuisance to say the least but it was something he couldn’t truly prevent no matter how hard he tried. He’d close his eyes before rolling over onto his back and tucking his hands behind his head letting out one last sigh before drifting off to sleep.

 

[Oni Archives]

あ な た の 心 は 痛 む が 、笑 顔 壊 れ て も 笑 顔
Kirinji would look at the man known as Takeshi with confusion and disgust. Just looking at his facial expressions and body language — weird would be an understatement. There was not a single word in the dictionary that could express how awkward this whole conversation had become. It was to the point where he did not even want to continue this conversation because the man - child had made it so awkward. It was clear to Kirinji that this man could most definitely not be trusted at all and he had to be weary of him. Such a switch in personality must root from something deeper.
Tatsumi was a welcoming house. Almost as if he was his own house.
This opted Kirinji to get up and go toward the area where the beds were and took out a bed roll just like the snow haired individual. He noticed the man going just outside the kitchen to set his bed up, and went more toward the entrance they had come from and rolled out his bed there. Kirinji would then lay down on his back and put his hands behind his hand as pillows — staring at the ceiling and slowly drifting into a light sleep.

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[Oni Archives]

As Eiji's mind was distraught due to the forced binding of his core emotional aspect which drew forth new feelings and emotions that he had not experienced or did not remember during this lifetime. The friction from these emotions caused the birth of something that wasn't Eiji though he could see what this thing saw he felt unable to take control of his own body. As the turmoil caused by the suppression of himself began to cease and his mind began to regain control, even with the suppression of his negativity he began to feel it and himself rising to the surface once more.

The thing which was possessing him began to lose control, slowly drifting off into a void, a pocket of emptiness within Eiji's mind. The now falling into a deep slumber from which it might not emerge, while Eiji himself would look around before sighing a bit and heading over towards the furthest corner of the room laying himself against the wall and closing his eyes. As his eyes shut he fell into deep contemplation about himself, those around him, and this whole ordeal. He was confused, annoyed, irritated not only at the others but at himself, he constantly felt a sense of unease and not knowing why he felt that it came from the others. The thought that this was all some kind of large conspiracy always ran in the back of his mind and was the main reason he felt he could not trust anyone. That or this was a rather elaborate genjutsu he was caught in and for some reason couldn't break.

Either way, as his mind raced he slowly began to drift, his eyes being shut made it easy for him to fall into slumber. Even though he was in slumber his senses were on high alert paying attention to even the slightest movement around himself, a reaction born from his time with his older squadmates and on patrol in Konohagakure.​

 

[Oni Archives]

((meanwhile))

=With that being said Tatsumi sat in his office after having contained Eien with positive Hadou sealing as well as the Hadou of Compassion sealing that was already latent in the ward itself - the little emotional barrier that their guests by this point would be experiencing and fully aware of. They had talked, long and hard about what had gone on before that made Eien so violent - but Tatsumi had expressed, it had nothing to do with Izanagi's doctrine that the outsiders had been trusted at all but through the kindness of Tatsumi's own perception that they were allowed in - that he was upholding a ideology that if they all became cold and gave no outsiders a chance, then they would all inevitably become like the man that started all of Eien's suffering in the first place - Mikaboshi. Now in his downtime he simply wait in his quarters in a meditative trance that allowed him to influence the hadou barrier around the ward with his own chakra, intention, and perspective while simultaneously being linked to those in the ward. This on the standard was used as a means to keep patients especially those in critical condition in a state of peace, allowing them comfort in their healing but most of all - gave Tatsumi perspective and helped him with an empathetic approach to things, allowing him to feel their hurt as well and in such better understand what they were feeling and the pain that they were in both physical and mental. It was a lot to take in all at once but he had been trained for such. He could feel the moment that Eiji started to shift into something else and for a waivering minute there he started to leave his stance until finally - the moment was gone just as quick as it came. He settled back down in his seat crosslegged and closed his eyes again all while thinking out loud: "Hm well that's odd. I was almost certain I may have to murder someone there for a moment. Fleeting thought." and with that being said he went back to meditation = to which he would continue until the inevitable moment that he would finally fall asleep.

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((6 Hours later))

Night had fallen. They hadn't gotten to see it in person - had already been moving quickly before nightfall would come so they werent exposed to Naraka during the night just yet - but it was beautiful. The stars were so plain to see at night in all their glory and the moon was a beautiful pale and slight tint of blue...certainly this could not have been the same lunar satellite that orbited our planet in the world of the average shinobi - its brilliance was undeniable and even illuminated the area with an almost divine slight blue light. It peaked through the shade of the room they were all sleeping in and the light cast down upon Ko's resting face as he lay there. He was in the light - where as everyone else, Kasami off to the side of the room in bed, Kirinji before the door, and Ikki - the kitchen the direct left of the door, were in the shadow away from the glare down from the moon. Eiji? He was outside the room entirely. In the only place in the ward that was not kissed by the pale moonlight from outside, simply dark - symbolic in a way of what he carried inside burdening his chest and the person he could be. Everything was all well, you could hear the crickets chirping, water from the garden out behind the room through the shed and the slow creak of footst-.....of footsteps. Who was up at this time of night and why on earth were the steps coming closer to the room? Out in the hallway where Eiji was it was getting closer, and closer, and closer - something in the darkness approaching more and more till it started to get to the point where it would emerge from the darkness; there it was before him - vulnerable in his sleep came forth an overpowering - aversion from expectations....thats right. Nothing. It was as if the sound had stopped and nothing had been there at all. Slowly behind them the shed that lead out to the garden was slowly opened and ever silently. Whoever did this was drastically skilled for the way that they opened there was not even the smallest sound. Soon after it was only open enough for a figure to slip through the crack - a silhouette started to cast a shadow over Ko's face blocking him from the pale moonlight - and then slowly a hand started to extend out. Further.....further...ever closer - ever nearer feeling the kiss of physical warmth upon the skin on the delicate hand - oh yes, by now he could feel the caress of Ko's lifeforce. When suddenly there came a swipe in the silence. The figure shot backwards maintaining silence as it did so and Ko spun up off the ground doing the same. They were black silhouettes against the tinted moonlight behind them and they moved so fast - much faster then Ko had been known to move before he was admitted here. Hit hit, hit hit hit, hit hit, swipe and gone - the two had exchanged blows right here, right among the rest of them in complete and total silence so quick and precise that the air was never even disturbed. The bowl that Ikki had left before Ko was swiped up as well and disappeared. Two shadows cast out the crack of the slightly opened shed.

[sub]((Critical Immersion: Listen while reading))[/sub]


"You're a nosey fucker. Then again - I guess you could say the same about me. Cause the first thing I'm askin' is who the hell are ya? The second thing I'm askin - is damn....is this paprika?"

Spoken as Ko stood, healthy and well on the top of the roof to the ward - having followed the being through the skylight in the garden area onto the roof he had swiped up his bowl before he went out and still made it in time to catch the trespasser. The bowl had gotten cold by now - but Ko was able to heat it in his hand with no problem at all and excellent control. He started to take it into his mouth, enjoying the rich savory sauce - and delicate pork belly One would say that he was perhaps more taken by the food then his opponent. The silhouette of the man stood there across from Ko on the rooftop by about forty paces and simply looked upon him in silence. Ko had made a reference to the food to make light of the situation and psychologically probe his opponent by acting as if he did not take him seriously in making the comment that he did. A tool used by more clandestine shinobi in order to determine the type of competitor they were dealing with called - talking shit. But he didn't move. Simply stood there with those glowing red eyes staring at Ko. He could tell that the person was calm and not losing composure...but why? Was it because he didnt think that Ko was a threat? No - he came at him in his sleep, obviously he wanted to dispatch him quickly and be done with it. So what was it? Certainly he wasn't just that confident...unless...

A loud crash would occur by this point and the dust would bring an up-sweep of debris and roofing plates through the air and falling only to shatter down on the garden floor below. Once the crash had cleared Ko would land a few feet back having dodged the surprise attack from the undisclosed location and as the smoke cleared you could see the red eyes of the male that had attacked him still unblinking and standing where they had been...now joined by another figure...a woman...she was one that bothered him. He hadn't sensed her at all - and her presence was...there was just something not right about it. Numbers, thats why he had been so confident. He had a numbers advantage...does he still? Would he still once the others woke from what he could only assume would be a crash loud enough to get them on their feet - or would the calming aura of the ward keep them at ease and asleep. Which brought another question to mind. The entire time that he had been looking Ko had been staring at them with an intense glare without prying his gullet from his bowl. Finishing it all off with a vermilion static circulating around him as he held the bowl now sparking and glowing from the chakra enhanced fallout of his body.

"So tell me. We exchanged blows in there. You were able to attack while in the calming aura of the ward. Why is that?"

the figure stood silent still and then suddenly walked forward - exiting shadow as the imagery of a blonde, androgynous young male came from the dark looking upon Ko. His voice was gaunt, calm and yet imposing in a way...unemphatic what so ever as he answered the crimson haired boy:

"Never knew I wasn't supposed to be able to. But if thats the case...then you tell me. . . You exchanged blows too."

The shock suddenly hit Ko when he spoke of it, he hadn't thought about that fact. He had indeed exchanged blows but in the moment it was so reflexive to him that he didnt even think about the fact that he was able to attack so care free. He had been biding his time for a while after the others went to sleep, staying calm- pretending to be asleep while meditating and going over his thoughts, maintaining a watch for everyone else. How did he attack so easily? And how did this guy do the same. The moment that he thought it over he would look at his empty bowl and look back at the two: "I hope there's more of ya to come. Cause just two isn't gonna be enough for me. Shit, I finished my bowl and ALREADY WANT SECONDS!" and with that being said he threw the bowl at the two of them - having been sparking with vermilion lightning was because he had been charging the bowl with his celestial chakra and the moment that it reached his target it was overcharged and exploded. They were off and there on the rooftop were constant clashing sounds of bone and sinew as well as some metal. Meanwhile down below....another set of footsteps started to approach Eiji and the room of the others from down the hall...and this time...one could be pretty certain it was no aberration of the senses.​

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[Oni Archives]

Even as Eiji took the extra effort to sleep outside despite his teammates disposition Ikki didn’t stress in the least. However what did come in the passing hours was a culling of sorts, not with an otherworldly entity, but what amounted to his subconscious that very same stag like figure that emerged all those months ago when he took a trip to mikaboshi’s shrine. That same figure casting doubt just the same as it had done than lumbering over his position as his back lay submerged in what could easily be described as the murky waters of his subconscious. He wasn’t feeling any ill intent or even a sense of anger. However this entity represented Ikki’s inner emotions the things that only he and the mirror of himself in the mask could converse about and just the same as the time before he spoke. Its voice a bellowing imitation of Ikki’s own, when this figure spoke the water that it stood upon rippled causing Ikki’s physique to shift ever so slightly.

”Really, Two for two… First your father and now Eien. Are you really worth your salt. I mean look at yourself you’re so busy beating yourself up you haven’t even recognized your own progress.

The beastly entity flared its nostrils at the thought of Ikki even being here in the first place. It wasn’t often the son of Izanagi sought guidance within himself let alone from anyone but his father, yet when it came down to it his subconscious was right back then. When he told him it was a cop out he didn’t mean it in the sense of the skills he possessed, but it was the fact that he was relying on his bodies natural defenses. His dampening of his own emotions led to the dulling of his own skills and his encounter with Eien was no different. Eien’s own inner demons led him on a path that could have very well ended Ikki’s life let alone the lives of the people he had been sent to protect. The two of them were very much in the same boat, guardians over people they hardly knew. They were there protectors under the command of their father collectively. In turn what went down in Ikki’s mind in those next six hours leading up to the arrival of the entity seeking to assault Ko was a recounting of Ikki’s previous encounters blow for blow. They were merely manifestations no more than mental warfare brought on by his own need to better himself. He was using this time to learn something from each of them. Eien had shown him so much in their encounters, creating limbs and even armor from souzou subarashii, unfiltered aggression, as well as combat efficiency. He even showed a culmination of both his respective chakra nature and that golden chakra they called their own it was truly impressive.

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This battle in particular was something even Ikki’s mirror couldn’t ignore. He stepped out as Ikki laid there in those murky waters using them as a reflecting pool. His footsteps systematic like drops of water from a faucet. The reminiscent blows and techniques being strewn about in this recollection of battles caused the waters to ripple. However when his mirror arrived Ikki’s body floating idle didn’t sway as the ripples ceased. This was Ikki’s serenity and his mirror knew that the moment he arrived there was bound to be quite the interesting talk. What followed with these footsteps was a slow clap as his voice reached out.

“Look at you. Putting the pieces together like a puzzle, its cute really. Do you remember the old man?” His mirror squatted down next to him and gestured to open air just in front of their subconcious entity before continuing. “Oh yea, you remember. Besides why did I even ask I am you after all. Just remember there’s no room for weakness in his garden.” When he said this an image of a younger them emerged with standing before Oshirama in his crimson armor breaking every bone in their body, a breaking point. One of the defining moments in Ikki’s history that led him to be in this very position. One defeat after another, this one much quicker than any that came after. He was naive, inexperienced, and lacking in resolve to say the least. Years down the line rising up to stand next to his adoptive father in hopes of replacing him some day and yet he barely knew about the other holders of the saint beast except for Ko. The original Ikki sighed as his mirror displayed his encounter with Oshirama realizing that was the end of the beginning. This sigh was followed by a tuft of blue flames as he soon sat up to be about equal height with himself. “There it is, that resolve we had when our real father abandoned us, that’s a good look for us. Those people out there that we took the time to feed, even the boy who host shuzaku. He is just as much our brother in the sense of combat as Eien is to us near physically.” There was a pause in their little chit chat, his mirror was peering onto the outside world watching the events that soon transpired between Ko and whatever shadowed entity. Their blows were brief and to the point, a quick exchange but how and why. He may have only been Ikki’s mirror but he knew very well how things worked when it came to being within Tatsumi’s presence. This was odd to say the least and just before things came to an end he would reach over and flick the original in the forehead. A wake up call for Ikki and a very real one at that as he received that dreadful falling sensation that often came with some dreams. When this sensation was coming to an end his mirror spoke ”You should probably go see about that and don’t worry… I’ll be seeing you.”

His eyes shot open and they held a look of shock. It had been quite some time since he had even been confronted by his subconscious let alone his mirror without summoning him with the mask. He didn’t make much noise either as Ko departed with his new friend or friends for that matter. What followed next just as he had gone after them, his own footsteps padded in silence like any well trained shinobi would do in hopes of not disturbing those sleeping. His image would emerge not far behind Ko’s as things began to transpire. The crash on the roof the arrival of what would now make a forth with Ikki soon arriving on the scene. This crash of course was going to be enough to wake those sleeping within the ward but, as it stood the two of them were what stood between the ruination of Tatsumi medical facility and the death of more innocent people. Ikki would’ve arrived standing on the ground floor just as Ko wrapped up his own attack of sorts.

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"I finished my bowl and ALREADY WANT SECONDS!" Ko was likely just as observant as Ikki so when he arrived Ko was likely to notice him right away. ’At least he liked the food’ His expression a bit more serious given the circumstances, even than he wasn’t exactly sure how to insert himself into their subsequent clash. This was the same thing that got Eiji in trouble one can’t see it all even with the aid of a sharingan. He was merely waiting for his chance as for what was beginning to transpire within the hallways and eventually converging on the room they had all been sleeping in. The 3 of them were going to need to trust their new found teammate let alone Ikki despite him saving their lives several hours ago. Things were beginning to unfold like a lotus blooming from under murky waters.

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[Oni Archives]

Have you ever felt the true feeling of despair? The absence of hope invokes a feeling so strong that one could ever forget it no matter how much they tried. Not even Tatsumi’s barrier could save Kirinji from the demonic dreams that cursed him. All he would hear would be that same sentence over … and over … and over again … reverberating inside his head endlessly.

"It's good that you've come. There were certain people that I felt should die on their native soil. Only right that it be here for you."

And then that fan of the hands, as if he was telling someone ‘give him to me”, which would pull Kirinji’s body violently toward the man. And that was when it would begin. That void in your chest when everything has spiralled out of control. That feeling of despair. Nothing Kirinji would do, or could do, would relinquish him of the man’s dominating power. Absolutely nothing in his power would aid him. It was such a pathetic sight. Kirinji, a man that was known for murdering others with ease, was now getting a taste of his own medicine. Kirinji continued flying until the man’s hand gripped his throat violently while his optics transitioned into a pale lavender hue - signifying the infamous Rinnegan, but this one was not like the typical. Kirinji now stuck in the iron-clad grip, no escape fathomable, as a purple hand slid across Kirinji’s cheek - almost caressing his cheek and in a mocking tone he’d speak.

"We thought, we'd let you see it. You were always curious for knowledge. Wishing to learn. My gift to you - a glimpse at the truth."

And in saying this his reverberated voice trailed off into a whisper … the hiss of the Owari present in the tone. Followed by a deep inhale and the moment Kirinji breathed in his soul would be sucked out and his body turning a sickening dull color. And exactly as Kirinji would take his last breath - he’d wake up after witnessing his own death. His body slightly wet from sweating and his breathing fast-paced from the panic. Kirinji looked around hearing the sounds of the explosion and then followed by the disappearance of Ikki. Eiji was nowhere to be found currently. Kirinji immediately grasped his sanity for the moment and would get up and silently move toward where Kasami was sleeping and begin waking her up. His demeanor was different than in the dream. While he lacked confidence in his abilities against certain individuals, one would never be able to guess such a thing about him. Had she woken up she would find Kirinji with his finger over his mouth signaling her to be quiet and telling her to follow. Kirinji would move back toward the main room and try to observe what was happening. For the time being, he’d suppress his chakra completely.

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