guardian of the storm | ✓

Chapter Thirty ~ Initiation

~Chapter Thirty~

Wiping the blood on her katana off, Winter lets out a low sigh. General Five had escaped yet again. There was an uneasy feeling in her stomach and she sheathed her katana before lighting a match, turning the building in front of her into a blazing inferno. Her eye reflects the rising flames that are fueled by oxygen, flames that lick the sky and turn the once white clouds into mirrors that reflect the always shifting orange and reds. She could feel the warmth radiating from the fire but the smell that accompanied it was anything but pleasant. Tossing a single black dagger up and down in the air she saunters away from the area, feet crunching on crisp snow.

Rubbing her left wrist and feeling the grained texture of the bandages there, Winter felt her heart stutter when a few familiar chakra sources entered her range of perception. Closing her eyes briefly Winter allowed herself a few selfish seconds to enjoy the gentle warmth of one of the chakras before vanishing.

Landing swiftly outside the storm barrier she enters the Storm Village which was in a whirlwind of activity like usual. Nodding stoically at those who acknowledged her presence, Winter made her way to the tallest building. Jumping swiftly up using the window ledges, she somersaults through the open window on the top floor landing by sitting in the plush office chair. Crossing one leg on top of the other, placing her elbows on the ebony desk and blowing a stray piece of hair out of her eyes, Winter looks evenly at three shinobi. "You called?"

Ja'far rolls his eyes. "You always have to do the coolest entrances don't you? Can't you just walk into your office like a normal person?"

"The world normal isn't in my vocabulary and sounds dreadfully boring." Was her quick reply. A wave of her hand and a short blast of wind shuts her open window, the lock clicking into place. The door had already been shut and several jutsu put up so no one would overhear their conversation. "Daiki."

The white haired male steps forward, his eyes flickering between the turquoise of Winter's eyes and the faded amber of Ja'fars. "A man named Kabuto has learned how to recreate an animation jutsu. He's risen several powerful shinobi from their graves, including the Seven Swordsmen. The five kages have reached a fragile treaty, their combined forces an overwhelming power and separated into five divisions. They've already made movements to attack the reanimated shinobi... and there are rumors flying around that the once deceased members of the Akatsuki were also brought back."

Eyebrows furrowed together and lips pressed into a thin line, Winter processes the information. "As of now treat any rumors as if they're real. Prepare for the worst of the worst." She turns her attention to Emiko as Daiki steps back. "And how are the troops coming along?"

The purple haired woman lets out a low sigh, propping a hand on her hip. "Most are advancing quickly, each honing their individual skills. But seeing how most are so used to working on their own by now our teamwork is suffering." Looking with conviction at Winter so told her, "If we joined the battle now we'll suffer heavy damage. It's every man for himself mindset at the moment." Rolling her neck from side to side she continues. "Of course it would help if we separate everyone into their divisions now to strengthen bonds..." Winter directs her gaze to a crack on the wall, twisting her jaw to the side as she thinks. After a moment Emiko steps back and Ja'far steps forward, the last one to report.

"The Originals are advancing much quicker than calculated. All seem to have grown close to one another except for Aexstra, but after that incident a week ago he's gained their respect."

Around a week ago Aexstra had been sent on a solo mission to gain intel. He returned with a family of four orphans covered in ash, several deadly wounds proving he'd fought a strong opponent. It turns out they were supposed to be given to a man named Kabuto for experimentation but Aexstra had stepped in, slaughtering the miniature army sent to ravage the village, and saving the orphans from death. Seeing how they had no home to go to, he brought them back with him. One of the little boys he saved now idolized him and was found trailing him everywhere, and it was a surprising discovery when people found out Aexstra was great with kids. And so the others gave him their grudging respect.

They stay in silence for a while before Winter stands up, facing the window and placing her hands on the ledge. She gazes out at the village below. "Decrease prep training, increase teamwork drills. Do a few days of intense battle simulations where they are forced to rely on one another... divide them up into three equal groups and then one by one we'll fight the groups, us four. As for the other "Originals" we will begin the test tonight. I wish to initiate all of them, including Aexstra." Uneasy shifting can be heard from behind her but it settles down.

But the next sentence she says sends them into shock.

"We'll go to war in two weeks."

She turns around, a smirk falling onto her lips as she looks at the paleness of her comrades faces, their wide eyes, the underlying excitement for adrenaline. "Look alive people, we have some recruits to scare the shit out of."

***

Pale hands fastened a tan cloak securely, the hood being drawn up to hide pale white hair with faint blue streaks. Translucent eyes survey the five unconscious bodies laid out in a circle, a piece of paper pinned to each shinobi's shirt. A few wisps of smoke flit past him and he claps his hands together causing a resounding boom to echo throughout the empty space. Groans sound out and Daiki takes that as his cue to melt back into the darkness, effectively concealing himself.

Sarien is the first to fully grasp what's going on, tearing off her piece of paper and reading through it with sharp eyes. Jumping to her feet the scaled girl is quick to take off, not bothering to spare a glance to the others.

After all they had to get through this alone, not together.

One by one they woke up- although Kiri and Kishi had a harder time parting ways -each sinobi dashing off, their paper clutched tightly and hearts pumping with adrenaline.

Shadows lurk, whispers talk, wolves cry out at the sight of me. I am neither living nor dead, but can be seen as a beacon of hope... or a beacon of death. Find the drops spun from my light and bring them back to life.

To do so you'll have to cross the plains of your memories, battle your fears, brave the deserts of black. You'll need to search for what is always lost and can never be found. You can find my pieces scattered across the last place you'll wish to be, the last place you'd think to look.

You have three sunrises and three sunsets to get back to the village, with a piece of me in your pocket.

Your time starts... now. 

Eien was the last to walk off, his mind a whirlwind as he tries to dissect the riddle filled passage. "The plains of my memory?" His eyes widen and he slowly looks to the West, gulping as his gaze settles on the black peak of a mountain in the distance. "Oh... oh..." Slapping his face none to gently Eien musters up any bit of courage he can find... which isn't that much, and begins to jog West.

To the Sebun Ten no Yama mountain range.

Anyone remember this name? Does it sound familiar? Yes, no, maybe? The riddle passage probably makes no sense what so ever because I... I suck at creating riddles. Hehe sorry. Hope you liked this chapter even though it was a bit of a filler... 

Drawing of Daiki in the media (yeah yeah, his nickname is kinda lame... whatever) what do you think?

QotC: Have you ever considered re-reading one of my books? Or have you re-read one of my books? 

GUYSSSSS I HAVE SUPER EXCITING NEWS! One: I am going to a teen author bootcamp next Saturday and learning all these new techniques such as learning how to create a better villain, how to come up with the perfect secret, etc etc. 

And number two... I HAVE REACHED 500 FOLLOWERS WHICH IS HALF OF ONE THOUSAND AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT I AM SO HAPPY!

I love you guys :) seriously, I do. You make me believe that I really could be an author one day.