guardian of the storm | ✓

Chapter Twenty-One ~ First Recruits

~Chapter Twenty-One~

To say that restraining Winter was difficult was a bit of an understatement.

It took the other three members of the Lunar Society, five new people that showed up and Emiko's second strongest summoning- who was a ten foot panther named Ajax -to keep her from sprinting to the Hidden Leaf and declaring war on the Akatsuki right then and there.

They had already declared war on one organization, they didn't need an S-Rank Criminal organization included in the mix.

However just because they tried to stop her didn't mean that there wasn't any... mishaps. Like the twenty foot crater in the woods... and the thirty some odd broken trees... and Daiki's newly arranged face. Luckily Ja'far and Emiko had managed to calm her down after three hours of intense rage. Even now as they sat in the meeting room of the main building of the Storm Village, everyone was on edge as they witnessed the murderous look portrayed on Winter's face.

The newbies shifted nervously- consisting of three guys and two girls -although one didn't seem as nervous as more excited. They knew that Winter was bound to be strong, they just didn't realize how strong she was... especially without her being able to access all of her chakra stores.

A girl with bright magenta eyes stares curiously at the brooding Winter, silver jewels on her forehead. She had pointed ears with lilac colored hair, a mischievous smirk settled on her face. Her skin was extremely pale to the point of being translucent, piercings curling up her left ear. Her attire was rather revealing, a tight top that stopped at the end of her ribcage that looked to be made out of light blue scales and tight fitting shorts made of the same material that went mid thigh. Her feet were bare foot showing shimmering scales encasing both of her ankles. Yet despite the shivering air that was all around the village she showed no sign of discomfort.

"You know, I expected you to be older." She comments in a light, airy voice. "You've got to be younger than me by, what, five years?"

Winter looked up, her eye shrouded in shadows. "Age doesn't matter here. Experience does."

The girl smirks, her smooth skin shimmering in the light streaming through the windows. "Sairen no Umi at your service." She finally states, inclining her head towards Winter as a sign of respect. Taking this as their cue the others spoke up one by one.

The other girl had thin, light blonde hair that hung down to her shoulder blades with light eyes that were a strange mixture of olive green and brown. On top of her head were leather pilot style goggles, unhooked with the chin straps framing either side of her face. She too had fair skin although it held a hint of sun to it. In her mouth was a donut that appeared from nowhere, her attire simple with leather pants, a plain tank top that laced up slightly at the top with combat boots. "Kuki Megami!" She mumbled around the chocolate and vanilla treat.

The first boy, well it would be more proper to call him a young man, that spoke up had been standing next to Kuki, glaring at anyone who dared to look at her wrong. He had light brown hair that was shaggy with dark brown eyes to match. He wore blue, silver and gray armor that hugged snugly to his body with a leather strap around his hips holding a scabbard. "Kishi Megami." He murmured lowly, not one for talking.

"Aexstra Katsuya at your service, ma'am." A smooth wink was sent Winter's way from a teal haired young man wearing heavy duty pants and ninja sandals. He wore only a simply parka as he top leaving it unzipped to show a six pack and the hood was fur lined. His matching teal eyes twinkled as he looked at her, a dog tag necklace around his neck.

She didn't like him that much, he was a flirt but sadly he was also a great warrior.

The final person to speak up had a stutter, his hands shaking nervously as he pressed black framed glasses up that had slipped down slightly. His eyes were a startling clouded turquoise color and his hair was an mess that was a softer black. Not pitch black or insanely dark, just a plain matte black that appeared to suit him well. He wore a jacket and training pants, his feet covered in boots. He gulped softly causing his adam's apple to bob up and down. "E-Eien." He managed to gulp out, shrinking back at the scoff that was sent his way from Aexstra.

She looks over the group cooly and stands up in one graceful motion, anger still clear on her facial features. Still she closed her eye and allowed a small wave of calm to crash over her. "Welcome to the Storm Village. I am Winter, and I am the leader of the army you've agreed to join. But please forget formalities, those mean nothing to me. The people that have recruited you here are my trusted allies and also the leaders of the divisions that are going to be created." She opened her eye looking at them with pure conviction.

"I will save the pep talk for when everyone arrives, but for now know that if you can't contribute, can't keep up, or think this is for the faint of heart you will be of no use to this place. I don't want people that waver and can't stay true to their path. I want people that are necessarily strong physically, but also mentally. After all we will be fighting in a war. I am not going to go to battle without knowing that I can trust you all. Emiko will show you to your new living quarters and evaluation starts in one day's time. Feel free to explore everywhere but the main house."

The five looked at her with varying levels of shock flashing across their face. She held herself with such an aura that they couldn't help but feel a bit of awe at her presence. "You'll find training manuals at your new homes. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask." She stands up, tendrils of dark hair flowing over her shoulders.

"However if you'll excuse me, there is one thing I need to accomplish before starting to train you."

***

Her hands were pressed against the cool stone, several runes drawn on the gray material with precision. She wore loose attire that was informal, no weapons on her personnel. No bandages adorned her face, both of her eyes closed with dark eyelashes brushing against her skin. The bandages woven up her arms began to unravel one by one, dropping to the ground.

Silver light flashed and she felt her stomach clench up, a knot building in her throat. Her mouth became tainted with darkness but she kept on pushing forward. Just as she felt her will start to waver a rush of frigid air flowed to her veins, filling her with ice.

You are sure about this?

The voice was other worldly, there was no other way to describe it. The way that it sounded like the chimes of bells intermingled with the screams of the damned. A hauntingly beautiful sound that rang around the space.

Once you make this deal there is no going back... not even for you Ookami. This bond will be solid and you will never be able to escape or negotiate the price that has been set for eons. The rules are ironclad. There are no tricks, no loopholes, not one way for you to escape. Choose carefully.

"I made my decision the day I left the Leaf three years ago." Winter's voice held only the tiniest hind of strain but was full of willfire.

The sound that could be distinguished of a gong rang out once, twice, three times.

The deal has been made. Do not disappoint me like your ancestors.

I expect great things of you...

Picture of Sairen to the side/up top. 

What do you guys think of this chapter? Let me know! And I've decided on a name for all of you guys...

Is Storm Watchers by @crystalember and if I'm feeling lazy I'll be calling you all Stormies that was suggested by @awesomedragontamer !!! (so in a way there were two winners)

There were a few runners up I want to mention though (in no particular order) :

~ Nashoba's Bobas (@muffinsempai )

~ Nashians (@neji_is_life)

~ Hurricanes (@ice_dragon_girl)

Thank you all for the suggestions! I promise the chapters will start being longer, especially now that I have no school for two weeks!

Have a wonderful day Storm Watchers :)