Training time

Quest For Fire

It was a cool day. The sun stood high in the sky, neither waxing nor waning as a sun could not do that. Simply it stood high in the sky as if smiling unwillingly at the people below it. The bright yellow orb in the sky never wavering, never blinking. Even the clouds seemed to fear him in the sky. They more of circled the raging fire before disappearing into the distance. Lonely the sun was as it blared its heatly waves to earth, illuminating everything.

Trees scattered the forest boredly. Trees wavered, rustling the leaves of deciduous trees while blowing upon the wind the needles of the carnivorous. The greenish gray pieces of agriculture would float on the wind for only a moment before their dense weight would bring them down into a scattered pile in the long grass. The grass was untrimmed and tickled the belly of creatures as they scampered around the area. Small mice and voles, larger animals as a fox chased a hare; darting with its long legs stretching and flexing. Both animals showing their natural physiques as they ran circles about one another.

Angrily the wind sang a song. It howled obnoxiously on the people around. But.. there was no one around, no one but Kyou it seemed. Sprinkled along the grass were the curves and dull whitish, some a bit more colorful of mushrooms. The fungus sat in various shapes along patches of dirt between the lengths of grassy field. Nearby a branch creaked as if it had nothing better to do than to argue with the wind. It was an odd harmony mixed with the caws and crows of the birds. Cicadas joining in as if they were lonely as they drew a competition with the crickets and grasshoppers.

The crisp grass crunched as it cooled, the sun above slowly slipping to the horizon. The night sky began coloring as a rainbow; pink orange yellow blue and purple all in one glance. Sunsets were amazing, but that was not why the boy was here. Along the range of field within the circle of forest was a small cabin. Traditionally and expectantly made of wood, smoke billowing from the chimney, yet no lights on. It seemed no one was home. Crunch crunch crunch. Each step brought him closer to the lonely cabin. Enough to see the mossy colors of mold growing with lichen upon the outside. Vines crept slowly on the side of the dark bark. A few bugs skittered up and down the sides, stopping before speeding off once again. It seemed the picture of an abandoned place, and yet, it wasn't the house was simply old, very much so. Seek me out... The voice poked in Kyou's head, filling his ears as if just spoken by an all-knowing being. Did the man know was he here? It was possible, unlikely but possible. Yet the eery feeling gave the boy a shiver and shutter.

The air smelled sharp of old and mold. The scent burning through the boys nostrils enough to make his eyes water. He enjoyed the musky smell, but with the mixed pollen and scents of sleeping buds it was almost overwhelming. Little gnats flying in the grass angrily as he destroyed their tiny homes. However the bugs must have been a little dense because all that happened was the tickling of any of Kyou's bare skin. Their tiny wings barely able to caress the boy's skin. Yet it still made Kyou gag as a couple flew dumbly into his throat. His bird mocked him in response as if saying, Nice going dumbass. Kyou shirked, turned his head and spit a few times, trying to get the taste out of his mouth, only to inhale and get another layer of musk on his tongue. The forest smelled funny, but he would adjust. Why this man lived in a log cabin in the forest didn't leave Kyou with the slightest clue.

In honesty it didn't make the slightest sense but the boy was not known for his logic. Maybe to someone it DID make sense. However he doubted it personally, but then again as he was told anything was possible. He watched in sort of amazed eyes as the sky darkened, small little lights bounding around; doing their own little dance. The crickets playing a lullaby on the wind with the cicada. They seemed to be bid good night to the sun as the moon encroached the world with darkness slowly. A shuffle here and there left the night prey for the nocturnal.

"Enjoying the view, boy?" A voice boomed deep in a tenor tone that caused the boy to jump nearly out of his skin. The sound came from behind Kyou, chuckling darkly at him. and his response. "Be careful, I scare you half to death again and you'll be dead." It sounded comedic and yet held a fruitful truth as if daring the boy to get scared. It made Kyou think it over a second, as if it would really happen, though it was obvious that it couldn't happen, could it? He brows furrowed, lips frowning as he deliberated making the man chuckle and then smirk almost sadistically. "Really boy? Your wits are still slower than your reflexes. I thought the Takeda were an intelligent people." His words lunged and struck at the boy's heart, soul and being. A family insult not something to be treated lightly. Yet Kyou didn't strike back, as if he knew better. Instead he dipped his head, face blushing in shame. A hand reached and grabbed the boy's shoulder, pulling him backwards as the voice whispered, "Stop letting your guard down." In annoyance it seemed, the being released the boy only after thrusting forward his arm and allowing younger man to lose balance and stumble onto his knees. "And you know you're to kneel before me."

The boy known as Kyou staggered into a kneeling position before dipping his head in shame. "I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again." His voice a light tenor to the man's deep bass of a voice. His head dipped with a sort of embarrassed glare to his eyes. The brown irises set on a log a good distance away. He didn't make eye contact until the man stopped moving and the soles of his feet faced Kyou. Once that had happened, the boy glanced up, taking in the appearance of his mentor for this round.

A man of six foot stood before him, crossed arms and eyes soulless and gleaming a sort of scarlet in the air. The square of his jaw only supporting the stubbles of a beard, leaving half seeming shaved and yet it glowed like skin of a baby. Scars covered the right side of his face as if attacked by a rain of black, white and tan swirls, lines and spots. Over his nose, a few licking at his lips. He ran his tongue over dried lips while Kyou looked at him. One eyebrow was completely burned off, but hidden beneath the wisps of brown hair on his head. They fell almost greasy over the man's forehead and eyes, making Kyou wonder how the man could see as well as he could. His right eye seemed squinted, holding a dull glaze over it. A whitish film seeming to be over that eye alone, making the eye look pale blue. The licks of a fire had scarred his right eye bad enough that he appeared to have lost the fight with a dog's jowls. His left eye a clear and bright green.

After cracking the joints in his neck, moving his head side to side and allowing the joints to pop in an obnoxiously loud way. He then rolled his shoulders and proceeded to stretch his arms out, popping joint sin his elbows and fingers by interlocking the digits and pushing forward in a fluid motion. His lips cracked a sickening and snide smirk as he gripped the edge of his shirt and pulled it off, throwing it with ease aside. As if it had never been important in the first place. This left the man in a pair of black slacks tied with an old piece of rope. It sat nicely on his waist, showing the man's physique and more scars over his body like veins and vines. He tipped his head to the side, an expression of a wild man as he let off a sort of demonic laugh. "Come now boy, you want to set yourself on fire? At least get rid of the scarf."

Kyou, more for fear of the man's anger, obliged. With a soft and quick motion, he yanked off the tattered crimson, the folded it into a neat pile, placing it on the ground and angering another group of the little, annoying gnats. After another moments thought, Kyou pushed down the strips of fabric considered sleeves, allowing them to fall to his waist before yanking off his odd gloves. His posture straightened as he looked up at the man. It was an odd situation, for once Kyou was feeling awkward and quiet. The boy not having spoken once throughout the whole situation. In another second he pulled himself to his feet and stared hard at his to-be mentor. The brown of his eyes holding the usual warmth, but a determination as well. The expression pulled his brow into an angry sort of stare, but he wasn't even close to angry, simply motivated.

"Alright now that that's over with, we're ready aren't we water boy?" The bass laughed before licking his lips once more. "Fire is an emotional element." He smirked. "You shouldn't have a problem except losing control, seeing as you are a very emotional boy." If it were an insult it was one that was moved from quickly as he continued acting as if nothing had happened. His chest and shoulders seemed to rise as he took a deep breath, inhaling for a good ten seconds before speaking once more. "Let it burn as a passion and fill your soul. But be careful as it will easily be be lost. The control is the hardest part. Once you lose that, you're fucked." With a few symbols the man pulled out a small match. Lighting it, he grinned, dropping it in his open, gaping mouth before letting off a burp. A show for a circus, really, but it was something Kyou was used to with this man. "You see Takuro, fire is like a lady. She's very picky and you can't control her. Try to and you get hurt." He exhaled, blowing a wave of flickering flames from his mouth that licked at his face. The fire dancing before vanishing into the air. "There now you have advice on women and on the element of fire. Now get the fuck outta here and go do something useful, kid." His hands shooed him then he paused. "Actually, boy come here."

Kyou closed his eyes and then stood, approaching the strange old man. His eyes downcast in thought. Passion was the emotion for fire as water was the emotion of calm. The two were opposites and could conflict greatly in battle, but it had a great strength in facts alone. The boy could use two opposing forces which would be very helpful. Once he came to the man he wondered what it was the man had wanted. It didn't take long until the boy's the answer was given. He rummaged a moment within a pouch that must hav ebeen tied behind him. The man's eyes narrowed as he evaluated the moemnt before pulling out a small scroll and tossed it to Kyou. "There Takeda, use it wise. I can assume you know how to read. If not then shit kid I'm not teaching you. Now, you've wasted enough of my time, get your fucking ass out of here."

Kyou seemed stunned, staring at the speaker with a dumb expression. It was true, he knew how to read, but the man continually insulted him. Yet he knew better than to pick a fight. It seemed the man had guessed his thought because in a second's notice he had a branch in his hand and he swing it hard, knocking Kyou upon the back of the head. It was hard enough to scramble his thoughts, but not enough to cause any serious damage. "What are you still doing here, you little moron? I said get lost!" As if enforcing his words, he kicked the ground around Kyou, scaring the young ninja enough to get the point and hop back.

Remaining speechless, the boy tucked the scroll into his sash and grabbed his scarf. Zeke screeched angrily at the bully before dipping its head as if threatening him. His piercing amber eyes glaring at the fire dancer. Kyou ran his hand over the bird's back and his feet did a pivot, making him face the other direction. As if in thought, he remained silent and distant, even to his bird and yet it understood. Kyou needed to mull over everything. It wasn't that he was taught a lot but he had learned enough to think about. His legs carried him lazily, strolling at a leisurely pace as he left without a good-bye nor a thank you. He knew better, he'd simply be hit again and told to leave. The man was crazy, Kyou often wondered if he had a mind left, yet he knew he did. No matter how crazy the man acted and though his words seemed meaningless, he was wise in years.

His hand gripped the scroll as his pants scraped against its own fabric. With each step another sort of shuffle was heard. It was an obnoxious noise, but Kyou tolerated it as if it were a simple passing by. His mind rolled over thoughts on thoughts deeper, more indepth. He had to get this right, he had to do better. The man had legit insults, after all Kyou was a few cards short of a whole deck. He knew that, but he also accepted it. The teen ran a hand through his jet black hair as he let out a sigh and stopped walking to debate. He needed somewhere quiet. he needed somewhere he could collect his thoughts. Some place to escape this dreary forest, as mystical as it might have been, it was simply cramping his style. Zeke however was far beyond pleased here. All the animals making the falcon giddy with excitement. It flapped its wings and darted its glaring eyes from mouse to mouse, to vole and any other animal that showed its head. Almost paranoid, the bird let off a caw of pure joy.

"It's okay, Zeke. You go have fun I need time alone." His voice was soft and affectionate to the bird. Running a finger along its back he rose his arm, allowing it to fly away. Zeke gave Kyou an odd look before vanishing into the lonely dark and starry night. The bird was good at seeing at this time, Kyou was not. The boy stumbled and staggered, nearly ripping open his knees in the darkness. For a ninja he was very clumsy in the forest. At last a sound beckoned him that also excited him. His eyes widened and a smile came to his lips. A hushed rushing of water fell upon his ears. A soothing sound to those with suiton; a comforting feeling. Slowly he managed his way to the source. It pleased him what he found. In this dense forest was a natural spring.

Almost an sign from the heavens it seemed to the boy. As he reached it, he stripped down and hopped in, enjoying the heated and relaxing sensations it sent of. His whole body was able to relax and it allowed him to better himself. After a moment and establishing his position, the boy pulled out the scroll once more. He felt anxious opening it, but did so quickly. As the suspense had faded and he was left with an elongated piece of parchment. His eyes stared at the figures almost confusedly. At first they seemed foreign and it for once Kyou showed an expression that wasn't expected of him. Anger. The rage glowered from his eyes like a ghost. It was irritating to think he really was too useless to understand simple words. He knew how to read, but the scroll was written somehow different, there were no words only symbols almost like a diagram. The boy, half tempted to chuck the parchment as far as he could, had to collect himself and focus.

Soaking in the water as he memorized the diagrams, he allowed his mind to work sub consciously. What did it mean? What did it bring to Kyou's head? He began turning the cogs in his head only to become more enraged. It wasn't bringing answers only more questions. A low howl echoed in the distance as wolves sang to each other. The cicadas continued their song as a new sound focused in Kyou's mind. It seemed to be the bubbling of the water. The steam of the spring bringing sweat to his brow as he sat there for an hour at least before tossing the scroll aside. He needed to blank his mind completely and then he'd understand the symbols... hopefully.

Leaning back, Kyou closed his eyes, allowing the sounds to sing him a song. Lyrics only known to nature cooed into his head, hushing his rage and replacing it with the calm he enjoyed. A happy feeling; a slowly growing passion. In his head the diagram seemed to swirl and twirl, dancing on his eyelids a solo to the rhythm of nature. A blackness with a dancing diagram, slowly putting Kyou asleep. Inside he felt a burning, a sort of fire that welled up for this peaceful place. For nature itself and then it hit Kyou like an epiphany. Nature itself housed all the elements to become one with nature was one way to become one with the elements and though this time only yielded a single element, it was well and quick to register. Kyou's mind slowly digested these facts. It was how he would learn this. Nature was accepting, nature was flowing and that was what he needed. Everything ran in circles, learning opposites helped balance the world and that pleased the boy.

It was a while before he would awaken from his nap. Once he had his brow would be drenched with sweat, plastering the bangs of his hair to his face. With a soft smile on his lips, Kyou pulled himself out of the water. His ear burning from the hot metal there, but otherwise he felt rejuvenated. He pulled on his clothes quickly and took a deep breath. He may have found nature annoying at first, but now he understood that without this beautiful world, he wouldn't be who he was. It was thanks to nature he now understood the element of fire enough to know how to use it.

Approved boyo.