Safe haeven from a new threat

First topic message reminder :

The man stumbled from a sort of exhaustion. It was a long travel from the outskirts of Kumo to the one hidden village, but it was also a Blizzard. That was something that was just pissing him off. He hated them. He could barely see. He left his hand out behind him in case Kaelos couldn't see either, she would be able to tag along by touch instead.

The winds were harsh but they were close. It'd been almost a few days now, and it seemed they weren't getting anywhere. With snow everywhere it was sort of like, sort of like there was nothing but...well..snow. The passage of time did seem long for him, but that was because he lost his family, and was now returning to the place he burred them, and killed them.

The thoughts echoed through his mind as the snow pounded his face. But if Kae kept close to him, she wouldn't be pounded so hard due to his large over sized bag he was carrying on his back. This set the full force of the wind and snow on him, instead of her. Finally, they reached a small village that obviously looked run down and abandoned. There were still food supplies in case of disaster in each house that wouldn't go bad for another few years. He wandered in to the center of the town, his eyes setting to find his old house.

wandering a good ten minuets he finally found it. He stopped just before the door, staring at it. The snow causing his face to become red from wind burn and the shear cold. He finally pushed open the door. The blood still on the walls as well as a faded stench of death. It was a wreck but still a place of shelter just in case. It wasn't far from the Village of Yuki, but it was outside of it, enough where nothing that happened in Yuki would affect it, well as long as it wasn't a food shortage.

The blizzard was pounding the tin roof and causing massive problems with cold. Walking over to a small heater he turned it on, luckily it still had gas from that day, somewhat stale, but still usable. He sat down at the table, where a fresh meal was placed, well at the day it was fresh. He slid it aside so it would fall to the floor and he sat there, staring at the table. His thoughts raging and his feelings showing his true emotions. Though he rarely cried, his right eye formed a tear. it was from his loss.

The loss of family, friends, and even his own life. What he did wasn't excusable, and he wished he had one day, no, one measly minute to tell his parents he loved them one last time, just one time, before they died. He didn't say it them, and they died before he could even apologize. So he sat there, the events playing over and over, and his mind beginning to jumble of emotions. With out knowing it, he dropped the bag and it made a crashing on the floor, where he then slunk in his seat, the second blade he had forgotten about in a nice sheath, behind his belt.

The male finally appeared and opened the door, letting Kae walk in first. When they actually entered Hiroko was already there in the living room. He smiled and looked around as he moved, releasing his hand of her's. The male's eyes darted about and wondered what was going to happen. Perhaps they would get snowed in, that would be interesting indeed.

The male walked up to Hiro and wondered a moment, he had a sort of sudden rush of memory about what happened. He slightly giggled and looked away. Walking around a bit he stumbled upon her personal room. There, he would look at the bed and plop down on it. The male's eyes slowly closed and he faded to sleep, never letting anything wake him, as he was out like a light. Or so people would think.

One of Kaelos’ brows perked upwards as she silently noticed how Hiroko’s whole attitude seemed to have changed after the fact that Kaelos was hugged. When she brushed past her and Aku, Kaelos simply closed her eye lids to half mast as she held back the rolling of her eyes. She was starting to see similarities between herself and this other female. Which was an annoyance as well as slightly amusing to her, but she wouldn’t pay much mind to it. Her eyes fully closed as she sighed and followed Aku out the door of the cabin and back out into the blizzard. She was starting to hate Yuki and the snow. She longed for the warmer climate of Konoha or even Kumo.

When they finally arrived at Hiroko’s place, Kaelos rolled her eyes as she stepped in first due to Aku’s stubbornness of his to always treat her like a lady. I am no lady damnit…I am a killer… She thinks within her mind as she gave him an annoyed look before she quickly looks about for any exits or traps. As her hand was let go, she crosses her arms over her chest and moves over to stand in front of a window. She was putting distance between herself and the other two who are in the cabin with her. She didn’t like being in such a small space with others, she perferred to be outdoors where she had her own space and they theirs. But that was impossible as of right now. She stayed silent as she seemed to stare out the window almost as if she was in a trance, yet one of her hands laid on the hilt of her katana at all times as she was on alert even then.

Hiro blinked behind her mask as the man seemed to find something funny and disappear into the hall. Of course. Why had she expected anything else? She had planned on letting the girl keep her room, but she couldn't be sure now. As they entered the house, snow fell on the floor before the large metal door slammed shut. Hiro didn't move, her eyes rested on the girl, not to make her feel uncomfortable, but to simply gather her thoughts for a moment. Her hands rose as she removed the mask from her face once more, the color of her cheeks a slight pink from the reaction of heat and cold. As she let the mask sit on her head, not covering her stoic face, she spoke.

"There's a spare room down the hall. It's the only room on the left." She said in a voice holding no aggression. Her eyes turning away from the woman. Did she trust her? Only enough to expect not to be attacked. That was all the trust Hiro could give. Her body lead her to the kitchen where she poured herself a small cup of hot water and returned to sit on the couch. She would then become silent; not pressing on any matters and staring off into space, as if looking through Kae and to the storm ehind the window.

The male lie on the bed and still he didn't move. Just resting his eyes or so he liked to say. He trained himself to keep ready even at a time like this, calm sleep. It was just in case. He was always sleeping though, I mean the jutsus he used were Nara, and therefore taxing on energy and chakra as well as mentally. You had to use them perfectly or it would result in a fail. The male kept Ikari next to him on the floor. His body just resting on the rather large bed.

His eyes were closed and his body started to relax, but this wouldn't cut it. He got up and walked to the window in her room. He gazed out of it and stared. It was sad, the world he knew was here but the world Kae knew was gone. She had left her home and it was most likely destroyed, much the same as his was. He shook his head at all that intruded his mind.

He walked out of the room and across the hall to the bathroom. Shutting the door he took off his coat. Resting it on the sink he then turned on the water of the shower. Pulling the curtain he pulled off his shirt and rested it on the coat. He stopped a moment and stared at himself in the mirror over the sink.

"Look at yourself, what you did to become strong. These armor plates. These bolts. All to become strong. Not giving a care about my appearance at all."

He said to himself as his left hand caressed the right side of his face, more importantly the bolts and armor of his body. He then caressed the armor on his arm and he just wondered, how he could become so absorbed with power back then. It was true he would never reach his goal of becoming immortal to protect his family's grave but still, to become so absorbed with power and not realize it, he disgraced the Gamma name, and his village.

He preceded to take off the right glove with his left hand. He placed it with the other glove he took off with his coat on the sink. He then took off his pants and undergarments and got in the shower. His body weight leaning against his right arm as it was against the wall. He felt as though he was pitiful, and had to be pitied because of his past. He felt as though he would never make up for what he did. Not even by doing what he does now.....

As Kaelos was told that there was a spare room for her to use, the only movement she made to show Hiroko that she acknowledged her presence as well as her words was a single nod of her head. Her eyes closed as she moved to sit Indian style with her back to Hiroko and her katana lying across her lap. Her ears twitched slightly as she heard Aku move about from a room to another room. Her ears then caught the sound of running water, Aku must have went into the bathroom to take a shower. The female didn’t move nor speak as she was used to being silent. That plus she couldn’t think up a topic to start a conversation with the other female, as she rarely even had the social life to do such a thing.

It was obvious Hiro was out of it. Her eyes distant, her mind not functioning fully, in fact even if it were at half capacity she would have not done what happened. Her face unmoving, as if the nerves were dead and her eyes looked like those of a broken puppet. They gazed distantly and almost lifelessly, not even hinting what thoughts may have been going through her mind. With a slow movement, she stood up and began walking. Her legs leading where her mind wasn't. Was she even thinking? Perhaps, it seemed more of the zoned thinking; that distant land where you think so hard you don't recall a thing. A black out as it was.

Her mind worked, bringing her to the door before her, which she obviously didn't look at. Her mind seemed to mutter about something. Trying to come back down to earth, only to crash land. The voice in the back of her head poking at her, telling her to pay more attention, yet it was so distant and vague she could only hear it as a whisper swept away upon the wind. The blue eyes of hers closed as she had stepped in the room and began prying off her odd clothing, letting it slip to the ground, for once revealing those oh so many 'battle scars'. Though.. some weren't from enemy shinobi. In fact most were from those she had considered close and still did, albeit foolishly.

After a moment, she reached for the curtain, then stopped. Something was off. She didn't recall turning on the water. Why was there steam? It didn't add up. In fact Hiro had completely forgotten she had guests in the house. After all, Kaelos was less than talkative and Akutabi went straight to bed, didn't he? With a sigh, she figured that she had forgotten to turn the water off. Annoyed with her own insolence, she gripped the curtain and pulled it aside. It took a moment to register before her mind came back to earth. A sort of shock that made Hiro show everything that went through her mind. Red colored her cheeks and her eyes were wide. That's when Hiro's unconcealed self began to take control of her mentality. Her hand moved to close the curtain as best she could, her body stumbling backwards while her hands reached to cover her face. Her voice was an uncontrolled, sort of emotional flare as she let out a shout, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" A sort of crack splitting words in half. Humiliation; it gets the best of everyone.

The male opened the curtain and looked at her, the curtain wide open. He chuckled and spoke gently as his words would attempt to caress her ears and sort of sweet talk her in a way.

"It's alright Hiroko, You...you don't remember that night do you? No you most likely don't. That's alright."

He said as he turned back towards the shower head. Closing the curtain he began to finish up. Whipping down his body, well, his body minus his right side basically. It was a good thing that was made of a metal that won't corrode of water, that was for damn sure.

He chuckled once more and wondered if what had happened was just a dream back then. Maybe, maybe not. But he remembered one thing for sure. They shared a special bond with one another, and he didn't want it to leave.

"How about you spend the night, I'm sure my mom won't mind."

He spoke aloud and immediately after chuckled. He wandered if what was happening was that she sealed away her emotions, and thus her memories of those emotions. Maybe, maybe not. He wasn't sure. But he knew one thing, he really wanted to have his old friend Hiroko back.

Kaelos’ eyes opened as she heard Hiroko move about the cabin before she screamed out an apology. I bet she just caught him in the shower... She thought to herself as she rolled her eyes. When it then went quiet, she got up and started to head towards the front door. I do not want to hear anything from the two of them…that’s just wrong… She thought to herself as she opened the door silently. As she looked outside at the blizzard, she frowned and sighed before closing her eyes and stepping out into the swirling of snow. She didn’t leave a note behind or anything to show that she would return. That’s because she wasn’t going to return. The female was kind enough though to close the front door before she trudged onwards. Where was she going? Who knows? Who cares? She just wanted to get away from them when they do start acting like a couple, which she bet would be happening soon anyways. And she didn’t want to be a third wheel. “Damn woman…at least she has someone for her…I’m jealous.” Kaelos stated under her breath as she left the area of the cabin. If or when they do notice her disappearance, they wouldn’t be able to follow her as the snow was covering up any sight of her as well as filling in the holes on the snowy ground where her footsteps have only been moments before.

EXIT

Hiro was slightly shaking. A movement so quick and the rage of hormones in her face making her look like a strawberry in color. She held her hands over her cheeks as best she could, hair dipping as a sort of shroud until she decided to look up when he was speaking. Her head throbbed slightly, not used to this rage of emotions. She was just short of a nosebleed as he had opened the curtain once again to speak. Her eyes closed tight as his words hit her ears. It seemed a struggle as she opened them, glad he closed the curtain again. Well.. sort of. Her eyes furrowed a moment and she looked at him with a sort of suspicious and piercing glare. "What nonsense are you spewing?" Her words were sadly only a whisper.

He seemed to chuckle at something. Her mind piqued interest which she proceeded to feign. He was fucking with her, right? Something didn't add up. What night what was he talking about? She could hear the sound of water hitting metal only vaguely as her mind focused on trying to figure out exactly what he was talking about. A sort of vague cold fuzziness sat in the back of her head, a shroud and a lock that remained unopened.

His next line threw her off. His mom wouldn't mind? It was odd, something a child would say.... Something suddenly snapped. As if she were hit with a baseball bat. Her eyes clenched shut and as if she lost her very self she fell to her knees. Her mind sort of blank and yet at the same time overrun. Flashes of memories; as if her life were indeed flashing before her very eyes ran along the back of her eyelids like a sort of movie rewinding and playing once more. That moment, those words replayed like an ancient film, sort of choppy. The worst of it was the sudden pulsing emotions she acquired.

Hiro couldn't control herself and within seconds tears began flowing from her eyes. Almost as if she were in a deep sadness or overflowing with joy. Hiro was neither and yet both at once. Something in her mind, the lock within her brain, now had a hole, everything coming undone at once. She felt a sob in her throat and tried to hold it back. A mental breakdown; it made her feel weak and yet, this man.. there was something familiar about him. She'd known since they had just met, but they HADN'T just met. In fact, they had known each other quite a long time. The years had fogged her memory and in a way made him a dream, just like all else.

Fear coursed through Hiro's veins. It was nerve-racking, being unable to control herself. She felt hopeless, helpless; lost. It was ridiculous how a single person could mess with everything you knew. She'd completely forgotten where she was now or anything in her surroundings. Instead she simply just cried, releasing all those pent up feelings that pried at her like an awful nightmare. Her hands tangled in her hair and her body moved into a position where she could hug her knees to her chest if she so wished.

The male shot out of the shower still dripping wet and came to her aid. It was like old times indeed. He placed his arms around her and spoke in his voice that was somewhat nice yet a little sad. He caressed her hair as he spoke.

"The best thing is for you to let it all out Hiroko. And there is one thing that should make you smile. I thought about you and me ever since the day you left. What we promised each other."

He said as he continued to hold her. His hands holding her in a tight fashion that wouldn't harm her.

Hiro continued to sob softly. She couldn't understand why it was so confusing, why she couldn't sort out her feelings. It was so much and yet she knew it was all from her. How could so much emotion even exist? Her eyes were closed as she simply tried to fight it all, until he came over. There was a vague warmness in her brain as he wrapped his arms around her. A sort of comfort that engulfed her. Such a familiar feeling that made her safe. Her body relaxed and she simply let the tears flow. Even though she didn't know why she was crying, she oddly trusted the man. Yet as the night replayed through her head and many like it, she recalled why rather quickly.

It made her nervous, like her brain was bleeding from a cut, a gash long being there, just only now being reopened. A sort of scar in her head that had never truly healed. A moment passed as he spoke once again, making her blush. "Are you.. serious?" She asked, her voice showing the nervousness, uncertainty and confusion. Her eyes looked up at him, softly, almost sort of scared to hear him say something cruel. She felt so weak.

"Of course I'm serious. I mean, why would I lie to you. I...I love you Hiroko, I always have, specially since that day. I remember it like it was yesterday."

He said as he coddled her more and laughed a bit remembering it. He laughed a little more realizing that she has kept herself all pent up till now. It was interesting indeed. He got up and placed a towel around her kissing her on the cheek. Then he clothed himself and walked out the door and offered his hand to her, to help her up and to her bedroom.

They would then walk to the bedroom and he would tend to her there.

Hiro blushed deeper still at his words. They were so soft and gentle, almost as if out of a poem. Romantic and almost too perfect to her. Her ears burnt a bit with nervousness. She wasn't sure how to respond. Her eyes stayed on him, only closing to simply enjoy the comfort of his closeness. His voice caressed her ears gently and lovingly. The memory of the night made her sort of shirk her shoulders, trying to hide her blush. What an odd night, yet it was life changing. Strange how life worked.

In a few moments he had her body covered by a towel and he himself covered his body. Warmth fluttered over her cheek as he pressed his lips to the gentle curve. Her eyes dipped down once more, almost bashfully as her hand indiscreetly wiped away a leftover streak. Finally her body began relaxing, she was at peace with her feelings if only for now, well remotely at peace.

As they approached the room and proceeded to enter it, Hiro found her eyes set on a piece of paper. The parchment was folded, a strange insignia plastered over it. Immediately her body seemed to collapse, but within a second she caught herself. the reaction made her look like she had lost balance or twisted her ankle, but in fact neither had happened. Her body moved away from Aku's to pick up the letter and flick it open. Her eyes moved a rage over the words before she turned away and dropped it in a drawer of her dresser. A distant look on her face. Her brain was blank and her face showed nothing, as if she had lost all of her being.

He rushed to her and attempted to hold her. His body moving faster than he wanted. His eyes rested on the parchment as it sat in the dresser. The girl seemed as though she was disturbed about something but what? He wondered as he spoke.

"what's wrong hiroko? what is it?"

He asked as he attempted to comfort her.

Hiro was in thought a few moments, her lips moving to speak, but nothing falling from them. Her eyes were downcast, distant and in thought. Shrouded temporarily, her mouth moved slightly as she began her little bad habit; chewing on her lower lip. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and looked away. "My past has come back to haunt me.. that's all.." Her voice showed a half truth. She wasn't exactly thrilled about this silly little letter. In fact she looked depressed about it. Without realizing it herself, a hand slid over her left eye as she sighed softly.

Silence was in the air again before she finally took control of herself. She wouldn't nurse these feelings. That would only make the memories a torture. Her eyes opened and she found herself looking at the worried man. A soft slight of a smile, the best she could give at the moment on her lips. "Don't worry about it." Her body rested against his even as she turned slightly and kissed his chin gently, blushing hugely as she struggled to speak above a whisper. Her eyes catching onto his. "I love you too, Aku." Her actions were those of a shy woman, her body moving quickly, giving him a soft peck on the chin before blushing red and looking away once more. The intent was not to change the subject par-se. Hiro just knew she wanted to tell him before she lost him again, well if she did.

The male chuckled and kissed her on the top of the head. He nodded and looked towards the window. His voice spoke out in his rough speech he used, giving it a bit of a happy sound.

"Looks like it's morning now."

He chuckled again, and walked over to the window. Stairing out of it he seemed to remember the past. It was like a haunting thing that seemed to haunt all of them. He scratched his head and just watched the outside.

Hiro was silent a moment as he kissed her on the head. A vague red ran across her face and she looked down, trying to fight the blush. It was unfamiliar to her; she wasn't used to blushing. After all she had her emotions under control, well not anymore. Her heart was thudding hard in her chest like a hummingbird.

"Aku... I.." She started then stopped. Maybe it would be better if she just left. It was painful enough that she left once, leaving him again would be hard, but the bye would be harder. In fact she believed now it would be better if their reuniting hadn't happened. Her eyes narrowed as she looked down. Yet she wanted him. Being here with him as selfish as it may have been was the best thing. She wanted more time. If she had more of choice, she wouldn't leave at all, but.. her teacher..

Hiro sighed and looked off into space. It wasn't fair. Aku seemed happy meeting her, to wish this had never happened would that be unhappiness? She didn't know what to think anymore. She had time didn't she? With a deep breath, she reached for his arm, approaching him with a sort of concentrated look on her face. Then, before she could let her shyness get the best of her, she moved swiftly to press her lips to his. Whether or not this was their last night together for a while again, she wouldn't leave without him knowing how much she really cared about him. Of course she was shaky and blushing furiously. It took a lot for her to make this motion, but she fought against her 'training' and trusted her instincts.

The male reached to his blade, a nice and easy type or blade hidden inside of a sheath. He wondered it it was a good idea, to do this. He placed the blade, still sheathed, on a desk next to her. He smiled a bit and laughed at the fact of what he was going to do. Smiling, he kissed her cheek and started off.

"I think, it's time I go."

With that, he disappeared in to the surroundings, never to return. What he left her? He left her the fabled Kusanagi Orochimaru had. Indeed, a weapon of mass destruction.

{{EXIT/INACTIVE}}

Hiro watched him with a stare of disbelief her eyes resting intently on his every move. His lips pressed to her cheek and she felt something wasn't right then he said words that made her feel as if she'd fall apart. Her eyes fell and she nodded. There was no way to stop him. Turning her gaze to the desk she stared at the sword. That was all he had left her to remember him by. Her heart was in her throat and she could feel tears but they didn't come. So much for everything. With a sigh she stared off into space unsure of where to go. She wouldn't return to Doku like she was urged to and she didn't want to stay here. In a troubled stall she simply stood there, waiting for something to answer her.

A male appeared with a veiling cloak over his body, leaving nothing visible but his cyan eyes with a black slit down the center. He was wanting something, something good. He was searching for something that would make himself stronger a bit. He wasn't the type to just take things though, unless it was needed. He knocked on the door as he just stood there. His hands moved slightly as he stood there, somewhat drumming across the air. His eyes focused on the door waiting for someone. His cloak hiding his face among other things. The male's cloak whipped around and fluttered as he waited.

Hiro's attention snapped back. It was as if something eery was floating in the air. Her eyes adjusting and darkening. A sound on the wind bode ill will and overall she had a bad feeling. Then again the woman was paranoid and to be thorough a bit shattered. Her mind was in pieces, leaving her sort of in an absent-minded view. Normally she would be more cautious; less indifferent. However, this time she was not as aware. Lacking the required focus, she turned to the door and walked to it, one last glance at the blade before tapping the knob gently. After a second of hesitance she gripped it with her fingers and yanked it open, staring with a look of discern at the man. Her lips were silent a she couldn't help but laugh inside her head. It was almost like looking into the eyes of the Grim Reaper.

"I am here, for it."

Was all the male said as a few images, darkened and looking exactly like him arose from behind the woman. They arose like fish out of water, rising from the deck of the floor as she stood there. They stood there, not moving, as he just simply stood there to. His hands moved slightly as his feet started to lift off the ground, the cloak dangling down so it appeared he had no legs. He was like a true example of the look of the grim reaper.

His body shifted as he bent down towards the girl, his eyes still only visible. Though, his snake like attributes a tiny bit visible. A tongue reached out and looked around, only reaching out about 1x longer than a normal tongue. It's body shifting and twisting as it's point seemed to want to find where the steel was. Finally it pointed to the blade in her hand, and like a Dementor, he just stood there, his body shifting gently. His right hand reached out to it as he aimed for her to give it to him, hopefully with out a fight.

Hiro gave the man a look wary and unsure. What was he talking about. Her eyes showed a dazed look. Her brows furrowed with a confusion and his face invaded her persoanl space. But Hiro stood, unmoving; silent like a rock. Almost as if she wasn't alive anymore, just a machine as she'd always been. His tongue sort of creeped her out and she could only barely see the clones through the haze of her disdain. He wanted the blade. With a frown she clenched herself tighter around the blade. She felt like she had to protect it or at least go down with it. It was all she had left but her will to fight was shattered in her eyes. Her body screamed she would fight but her heart.. well she had no heart at least not anymore.

The male let his body shift a little as his hands shifted in a rather fast fashion. A snake and rat would be the only thing able to be caught before it would happen. Before her eyes there would be a sudden whirl of overwhelming feeling, and suddenly, she would see his face on him. And she would see him be killed over and over again right before her eyes. It would be a simple technique, but if one lost the will to fight, then one would have to be struck by this.

While that would happen, he would lift her by the neck, moving his hands quick and gently. Like a ceremony in a creepy ass ritual of death, he would then lick her face, with the life fading from her body, and he would seem to feed of off it. Like a demented creature. After, he would take the item, and just leave with it, on his hands, and the new owner.

Hiro's eyes twitched as she watched him warily. Then it happened she knew she was caught in it, but it still damaged too much on the first blow. After all a shattered glass could not take a tap without being nothing but dust anymore. She wondered how she was actually dying but she couldn't really see it. Her breathing felt struggled and her body was quickly being overwhelmed by weakness. A buzz ran through her head and everything seemed to make peace if only for a moment. Her eyes closed and accepted her fate. After all she knew she wouldn't live forever anyways. The hand allowed the blade to slip along with her own life.

[Exit by death o-o]