Into the Dunes [INV]

[Yōsuru Shin]

"Mind your step around here. Avoid wet or running sand or you'll wind up part of the scenery." Yōsuru warned his traveling companions, using his newly acquired cane to make walking a bit easier. He needed to remind himself they were almost there, to just keep pushing through for now. He'd really rather not lose his ability to walk in the middle of the desert.

A heavy gust of wind rose up, blustering grains of sand towards them. Instinctively Yōsuru brought his poncho up to cover his face, protecting his skin from the pelting. They hadn't gotten far into the Land of Wind, but it was already world's apart from the Land of Fire or even the Land of Rivers. The Forests of Fire could get hot, that was undeniable, but the heat of Wind? Well, it was like the sun itself had decided it hated you and wanted you to die. There was little cover, and the bright sands reflected the sun's rays harshly, so it felt like there was no escape from the heat.

After the wind died downa bit Yōsuru looked to the left and spotted a small divet in the ground, with the sand flowing downwards. "Ah, this is a good example!" He calls to the rest of the group, jabbing his cane into it and watching the sand fall in on itself, collapsing down into a sizeable hole. "Floor isn't always solid here, keep your eyes peeled." He warns as he continues forward.

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    As the three Uchiha cross the borders of the Land of Rivers and into the Land of Wind, they are met with a desolate view. Trees and grass became more and more sparce, eventually giving way to craggy rock and jagged stone. Eventually, they entered the domain of the sands. Where the Land of Fire's summer heat could be quite something, there was at least refuge from the beating sunlight.

    Here in the desert, the only refuge the Uchiha could find came from their own clothing. Their cloaks were all dark, so they soaked up considerable heat, but the dual layer of fabrics also protected them. Sleeves that almost passed their fingers, and coattails that swept only a few inches above the ground protected their fairer skin, though they had to switch their footwear at Yōsuru's recommendations. They now wore traditional split-toe tabi - this protected their feet from the sun, whereas their normal footwear would not have, leaving their toes exposed to the sand, heat, and glaring sun.

    The high collar of their cloaks also offered protection against the whipping sands, and when paired with their wide, conical straw yabai hats that had somewhat thick fabrics hanging down their back and draping across their shoulders, their ears and necks were well defended as well. Though, the combination of yabai and high collars framed their faces in such a way that only their dark eyes and bridge of the nose were visible.

    "You're referring to quick sand." Hana spoke up, heeding Yōsuru's warning. "Should we then use our chakra to walk atop the sands, like we do to walk on the surface of water?"

    Yagura, for his part, narrows his eyes at the vast desert spread before them.

    "Now seems like a good time to double check our water supply." he says, sliding a bag off his shoulders and pointing at Hana and Kuroda to do the same. They oblige, and Yagura checks all three. "...Good, this should do. As long as it doesn't take us two weeks to cross into the territory the Shin Clan control, we should be alright."

    Kuroda nods, retrieving his bag and turning to Yōsuru.

    "If that's the case, I think the smart thing to do is follow you in single file until you say it's safe to do otherwise." Kuroda says. "From here out, we will trust your knowledge of the desert. Keep us informed, and we will follow your lead."

---

Kuroda:
Items: Shinobi Armor, Elite Shinobi Armor, Forehead Protector, Chakra Armor, Chakra Meteorite
WC: 409

Minions:
Hana Uchiha
Yagura Uchiha

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 460 (560 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 24 | Regen: 7/post

---

TAGS: Kuroda Uchiha Yōsuru Shin

---

NOTES: Notes here

The Namikaze breathed a relaxed sigh, staring at the sand dunes that extended far into the distance. It was good to return to a place he had once called home, even if only for a few years. As they had begun their approach into the desert proper, he had wrapped a thin blue cloth around his head, protecting him from the sun just as much as the wind and sand.

It would take a few days to readjust to the desert heat, of course. Though it was less humid than the Land of Fire, the constant beating of the sun would take its toll on Arata for a while. After that though, it would be like he had lived among the sands for his whole life. It was a strange phenomenon, but he was thankful for how the human body could adapt to new conditions.

His greatest worry, currently, was the cane which Yōsuru had begun using. The man’s limp had become more pronounced in their travels, and despite his insistence that he was old, he was certainly not of an age to need such things. Out of respect, he had avoided asking Yōsuru about it. It was his story to tell, and he would likely do so when he was ready.

As they continued on, the small pool of quicksand offered a welcome distraction on their journey. Arata smiled a bit hearing Yōsuru’s eagerness to explain and Hana’s question. He could remember asking something similar the first time he had seen the flowing, unstable areas on the dunes.

“This is just waterlogged sand,” he pointed out to Hana, “so it works pretty well to use your chakra to walk across it, if you have to. I think the amount of chakra you’d have to emit would be a little different, though.” He looked to Yōsuru for confirmation. He had once been told by a nomad that such techniques would work, but he’d never needed to do so himself.

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

"Very sharp Hana, someone's done their research." He smiles as he continues walking, grimacing slightly as he places weight on his wounded legs but carrying on strongly enough. "Ah, a quick mind and quick feet Arata. Indeed, water walking will work to a point, but sand is denser, if just as unpredictable. So you may need to adjust your chakra flow accordingly." He explains. "Quicksand is best avoided if possible, but if you do have to walk on it, remain aware of that." 

As Kuroda suggests single file Yōsuru calmly nods and leads on. It was true it was likely safer for them to travel in a line, but as long as nobody started wandering off he wasn't going to be too strict about things. What mattered most is that they watched their supplies and managed fatigue, and they should make it through just fine. 

He would lead them on for another short while, at times he wondered if he was best leading them to some of the notable places. Or a small town or city where they could rest, but in the end he thought it best to just remain on a direct course to the Shin clan. If there were any spots they wished to visit. They could do so on the way back.

He took another step, before feeling a small rumble in the ground below, and his body froze for a moment. "Stop! Everyone stop!" He held out a hand, halting the group as the ground rumbled again, causing piles of sand to shift and collapse around them. "Everyone, remain still..."

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    "I fought a few times in the Wind." Yagura admits stonily. "We should probably also be vigilant for forgotten traps. I've seen very skilled Shinobi fall prey to the clever traps the clans of Wind were able to hide in the sands. Such traps are not typically left maliciously, just forgotten."

    Kuroda looks at Yagura.

    "I didn't know that you fought this far?" he says, puzzled. "Where was this?"

    "Further north by some... probably two, three hundred miles." Yagura replies with a shrug. "The sands that far north aren't as sweeping as these, though."

    Hana smiles at the two others approving of her question.

    "Yes, when I have free time, I like to study maps and regional descriptions." she says in a friendly, conversational tone. "Not the ones written by our own, but by those folk who make it their life's work to map the world and share what they've discovered. It's almost like reading an adventure sometimes."

    Kuroda smiles at Hana and puts his eyes forward as they walk. Suddenly, Yōsuru commands everyone to stop. Years of fighting and taking and accepting orders immediately kick in, and the three Uchiha all freeze in place, bending slightly at their knees. The reason quickly became apparent - something was happening in the sands around them.

    Was it a beast under the sands, like with the Forest of Death? Or was it something like what Yagura spoke of, forgotten traps left in the sands after the war's end?

---

WC: 246

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 460 (560 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 24 | Regen: 7/post

---

TAGS: Yōsuru Shin Kuroda Uchiha

---

NOTES: Notes here

Arata looked at Hana again, re-appraising the Uchiha. So far on their journeys, she had struck him as a kind and wise soul, but not particularly adventuresome. Hearing her fascination with foreign lands and discoveries—and perhaps the bit of wanderlust which sparked such an interest—was intriguing. He made a mental note to discuss such things with her at a later time. It was rare to find people interested in stories, knowledge, or travel for their own sake.

With a slight nod at Yagura’s words, Arata also made a mental note to keep an eye out for traps. He had encountered few in his time in the Land of Wind, but he also hadn’t been part of any of the major battles. Merchants tended to avoid such things. His eyes shifted across the sands, looking for any irregularities.

Not long after, Yōsuru made his sudden announcement. Arata tensed ever so slightly, stopping in his tracks. The Uchiha did the same—a practiced response. The ground was shaking, sand shifting as something settled beneath them. If they were lucky, whatever was causing such a quake would pass quickly. If they weren’t…Arata began to build up chakra in his legs, ready for a quick response to whatever was to come.

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

Yōsuru crouched low to the sand, slowly and carefully, his legs burned with pain but that didn't matter right now. He could handle it, one errant movement could see them all dead here. He gently placed three fingers against the rumbling sand, bringing the grains up to his forehead as he murmured to himself. "Great Mother Voruun...The Protector and The Devourer. Grant us passage through your sands...grant us amnesty from your maw." 

That was all he could do from them really, hope his prayer was heard and what dwelled beneath the sands would pass them by. Speaking of which, the Shinobi of Fire were probably about to get their first look at what it was.

From the dunes just ahead, a mighty Wyrm burst forth, scattering dust and sand around as it's gargantuan maw penetrated the surface. Yōsuru watched with steely eyes, if any of them tried to move he would hold out a hand, silently commanding them to stop. Even if the beast wasn't somewhat sacred, they'd still stand now chance against its sheer size.

The Wyrm Voruun rose up, more and more of it's long armoured form emerging from the dunes, rising further and further up. As if looking for something, prey or otherwise.

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda watches as Yōsuru conducts a kind of prayer. He raises a brow, and then looks around at the lightly shifting sands. The Protector and The Devourer was rather ominous, as was the following request to not be essentially something's next meal. Clearly, Yagura and Hana took note of that as well, and stiffened their postures. If it came to a fight, they were more than willing and able.

    If it had eyes, their Sharingan could likely either paralyze the beast with their Genjutsu, or at least slow it down. Yagura and Hana had fully realized three tomoe Sharingan, so they could fairly easily predict the attacks of the beast, so long as they could see it.

    But none of the three were ready for the massive thing that burst through the dunes in front of them, its length they could only guess at as its head rises ever higher into the air. Kuroda narrows his eyes.

    "...Yōsuru?" he says, but staying still, just in case the creature hunted through sensing vibrations in the sand. He didn't need to say more, the rest of his question was easily implied through his tone.

---

WC: 194

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 460 (560 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 24 | Regen: 7/post

---

TAGS: Yōsuru Shin Kuroda Uchiha

---

NOTES: Notes here

Arata’s staff swung off his back as he widened his stance, steadying himself against the shifting sands. The beast that had emerged, flailing its body about above the dunes, was no small creature. The chitin plates which locked together all along its body formed a strong armor against any attack. The Namikaze doubted his wind justu would make much more than a scrape on the beast’s hide. Still, he felt himself begin to knead chakra in his lungs. Strange how the body acted on its own sometimes.

Like Kuroda, Arata turned a questioning eye toward Yōsuru. It seemed that whatever was in front of them was beyond any of their skills to deal with, but if there was some way to avoid it or drive it off, that was something he wanted to know. If it did come to a fight—well, they would have to manage.

So far, the group’s saving grace seemed to be the wyrm’s disinterest in them. It continued to flail about, snapping its jaws as it appeared to be searching for something in particular. Was it possible that the beast couldn’t sense them? Or was there something imminently more important that it was seeking?

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

"Remain still..." He whispered, though loud enough to be heard. There was probably an unintended harshness to his voice but he needed to ensure his orders were followed. He trusted them to keep their positions, and to not haphazardly charge towards the beast, but not knowing a situation could make people fidgety, more likely to do something unexpected.

"She's seeking prey...probably to feed her young. Not us...we're far too small, but we'll be devoured all the same if we're in her path." He explains, keeping his gaze on the worm as she tastes the air around her before quickly retreating back below the sands. Pillars of rock and sand burst up as she burrows, before the dunes shift once again as she starts tunneling. Faster now, evidently she had sensed her prey.


Yōsuru let out a deep sigh and wiped some droplets of sweat from his brow once he deemed it safe enough to do so. "We should be ok now. Thank you all for trusting me." He began walking again, trying not to stumble as he went. "That was Voruun. Known as the Protector, definitely the end of a few invading Shinobi forces in the past. But she's usually quite reclusive, seldom seen. Hopefully the rest of our trip should be less eventful."

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Behind Kuroda, both Hana and Yagura were prepared to activate their Sharingan if the creature before them decided to become hostile. Kuroda, for his part, had raised his hands together beneath his chin level, forming the first hand sing of seven that would be required to unleash his Fire Release ninjutsu.

    But this was all preparatory, and thankfully not ultimately needed. The beast seemed to be tasting the air, and Yōsuru warned against taking action. Soon, the creature retreats back underground. Fortunately, its path away from them is fairly obvious, breaking rock and churning the sands as it tunnels away.

    Kuroda releases a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and lowers his hands.

    "Well... that was tense..." Hana says, also lowering her hands.

    "That thing was huge... I'm not entirely sure we could have killed it if it attacked us." Yagura says grimly.

    Kuroda nods at Arata, who seemed to have been just as tense as they, then turns to Yōsuru.

    "You said that creature is called Voruun, not that it is a Voruun." he says. "And your prayer before hand; I'm assuming the beast is fairly well known to you."

    And indeed, it seemed to be, as Yōsuru explains a bit about the creature.

    "That thing could change its mind and come back if whatever it's hunting doesn't satisfy." Yagura says. "We should probably get moving."

---

WC: 231

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 460 (560 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 24 | Regen: 7/post

---

TAGS: @

---

NOTES: Notes here

Arata exhaled slightly as the beast disappeared beneath the sands once more. They were not safe yet—not by any stretch of the imagination—but they were in a better position than before. He felt the chakra in his lungs begin to dissipate, slowly returning to his chakra pool. Returning Kuroda’s nod, he added, “I’m of a mind with Yagura. I’ve heard of Voruun, and it’s an honor to see her in person. Still, I’d prefer not to do so again.”

Arata suddenly became aware of the dryness in his mouth and the sweat rolling down his back. The heat was beginning to become a greater burden as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Dodging the monster underneath the dunes would be the least of their worries if they didn’t find a place to rest during the hottest parts of the day.

Following in Yōsuru’s footsteps, he pushed up to the Shin leader’s side. “I hate to be the sort who asks these things, but do you have any sense of how far we are from a defensible—preferably shaded—position? I’m not so much of a fool as to pretend that I can do a whole day’s journey in this heat.”

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[Yōsuru Shin]

Yōsuru turns to Yagura, his expression not annoyed, but still serious. "There's no uncertainty about it. Voruun could devour a whole clan and barely feel a thing." He explains, shaking his head softly. "I apologise if it seems I am criticising your combat capabilites, be assured I am not. A normal Sandwyrm I'm sure you could capably handle, but Voruun is different. It is said she is as old as the sands themselves."

He nods slowly and continues walking as Kuroda comments on the creature being familiar. "Aye, she is a renowned Beast amongst these lands. Though seldom seen. We revere her as a protector, as her hunger keeps the populations of many other dangerous beasts low. However, we would be fools to think she is benevolent. The prayer is said to ward her off, it's likely a falsehood, but I haven't been eaten so far." He chuckles gently, some of his usual jovial nature returning to him.

He tilts his head slightly back to Arata as the Namikaze Lord speaks of being honoured to witness such a thing. "Aye, witnessing the outside of the Beast is a true sight, but I wouldn't recommend a close look at the inside." He chuckles, soon noting Arata's question that was essentially a more eloquent version of 'are we there yet?' 

Yōsuru shakes his head gently. "Not quite my friend, when the Sands below turn red and the sun above becomes unbearable. Then we'll be close to home." He explains. "Had we journeyed more northward we could've stopped off in the major city, but I figured that comfortable beds and good food would just ruin the tremendous hike we're on." 

And so he continues on, trying not to limp too much as he uses his walking stick to guide the party onwards.

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda's shoulders stay stiff, even as Yōsuru seems to relax and offer some words of relative encouragement. They had avoided death just by a hair - but in this Kuroda learned two things about that beast. Primarily that it had no eyes, so it must hunt by feeling tremors in the ground. That said, it was likely that the beast had to stay still itself in order to feel those vibrations, given its massive size would cause major tremors in the ground.

    The other was that it must be much, much larger underground. If it could eat that much and not be sated, then what they had just seen was nowhere near the true size of the beast. And even now, Kuroda could still feel faint vibrations in the sand.

    "...You warned about sinkholes and quick sand." Kuroda inquires, following after Yōsuru. "I'm guessing some of them are caused by the tunnels that Voruun and her kind burrow under the ground. They dig, and sand falls into their tunnels after a time, which creates those hazards in turn?"

---

WC: 179

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 460 (560 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 24 | Regen: 7/post

---

TAGS: Yōsuru Shin Kuroda Uchiha

---

NOTES: Notes here

The Namikaze shot an uneasy look at Yōsuru for two reasons. Just where was the Shin taking them? Red sands and an unbearable sun were two things the desert caravans had always tried to avoid. They had traveled at dusk and dawn, always along well-established routes. So far, it seemed that Yōsuru had tried to avoid any such paths, and the sun beating down on them was a clear indication that he was unbothered by travelling in the middle of the day. Arata had found such changes to desert travel less than fun to deal with. More than that, he worried a bit about what sort of region they were travelling to. He knew of only one place with red sands, and the rumors about it were rather unpleasant.

And secondly, the Shin’s limp had gotten more noticeable. He was clearly trying to play it off as a small deal, but the cane that Yōsuru had bought in the Land of Rivers was seeing progressively more use.

“Buck up, then,” he whispered to himself, readjusting his pack and picking up pace to keep up with the others. Yōsuru offered a lesson. The road—or lack thereof—ahead of them was difficult. No use complaining about it. People simply had to walk the path they were given in life, whether that included a nasty limp or a distaste for the noonday sun. If something needed doing, then there was no use groaning about it. Still, he made a mental note to ask after Yōsuru’s health the next time they stopped to rest.

As they walked along, he listened with some interest to Kuroda’s theories about Voruun. They seemed plausible to him. Moreover, he wondered—what happened to some of those tunnels that didn’t collapse under the shifting sands? Were there whole cave networks snaking their way underneath the desert sands? He would have to think about the implications for that later.

Made by Zeref of THQ