Into the Dunes [INV]

[Yōsuru Shin]

Yōsuru slightly looks back at Kuroda and nods at the man's suggestion. "Aye. The Land of Wind has a reputation for treacherous landscapes, and part of that is that the region is nigh impossible to map. If you compared the terrain to itself from ten years ago, you'd have two very different looking pictures." He explains, confirming the theory of the wildlife adapting the terrain to themselves. "Take my advice, if anyone tries to sell you a map of Wind. Don't trust any of their products. They're likely to be unreliable." He advises. "A living guide is always your best bet."

The group wandered for maybe another hour before the sands turned from white-ish yellow to more noticeably orange. The sun's rays growing increasingly ominous. Thankfully, there was a rock overhang that seemed to be providing ample shade. "We'll take a break here. Drink, rest up, eat, recover." He nods, heading over to the shady spot. 

"This is where I warn you all. We're about to reach the most grueling part of our travel. That cannot be understated. However, if you head directly North from where we are now. You'll hit the main city and can likely find a guide to take you home. I'd take this under consideration now, because once we start to see red sand, it will be much harder for you to find your way back."

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    The three Uchiha consider Yōsuru's words, but Kuroda grins and shakes his head. They settle down into the shade, thankful for the respite from the beating sunlight. They had inadvertently dressed themselves well for the desert, however. Though the surface of their flowing clothes is quite hot to the touch, the long sleeves, ankle-length coattails, high collars, and wide brimmed rice hats with dangling cloth clipped to the rims had afforded them much protection against the direct sunlight.

    "That would defeat the purpose of our coming out here in the first place, I think you know." Kuroda replies after taking a draft of water and heaving a heavy breath. "I intend to meet with you and your Elders. If we turned back now, that would not speak well to our ability to keep our oaths."

    "Speaking of things, I've been watching you, Yōsuru." Yagura says suddenly. "That limp of yours is getting worse. Not by much, or often. Subtly - but noticeable."

    He nods at Arata.

    "I know that you've noticed it too." Yagura continues, looking from Arata and back to Yōsuru. "If you're injured, you need to tell us now."

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WC: 193

[Arata Namikaze]

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

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TAGS: Yōsuru Shin@kuroda

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NOTES: Notes here

Arata settled into the shade, happy for the small break from the desert sun. Taking a small sip of water—enough to stay hydrated without burning through their rations—he turned an eye toward his travelling companions. “Well said, Kuroda. We’ll be wise in how we travel, but I also haven’t come all this way just to turn around because of a little sand. The sun is irritating, but I’ll survive. I owe it to my clan, as well as to each of yours, to try to see this alliance through.”

That said, he was determined to take detailed notes each evening of how one might navigate through the dangers of getting to the Shin hideout. Guiding Namikaze messengers through the Land of Wind would be no easy task, but it would be necessary to keep the alliance between the two clans healthy. Perhaps he could arrange with Kuroda for the Uchiha and Namikaze to share resources on similar challenges in the future…

His eyes turned back to Yōsuru as Yagura spoke up, direct as ever in his accusation. His words carried the weight of one who knew how a limp like Yōsuru’s could endanger the group if it got much worse. There was no need to add anything more than a serious look and a nod of agreement as his eyes turned to Yōsuru himself.

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

"Ugh..." Yōsuru sighs quietly, but it's more playful than out of any genuine annoyance or disgust. "And here I thought I was playing it off so well." He chuckles and nods. "I was placing a secret bet with myself on who would be the one to point it out first. I knew all of you noticed straight away. I could see it in your eyes. But all of you are far too polite. Except of course Yagura. Who I imagined would be the first one to bring it up." He smirks as he rests his head back against the rock, looking up at the clear blue sky. 

"None of you are going to like this answer. But I require your trust and your faith here. For you all to understand that me explaining everything now will be far more of a hindrance to our travel than you not knowing. I ask that you trust that this will not defeat me or slow me down significantly, and that we will arrive to our destination. But to tell you the full story now would be of no assistance." He explains.

"Trust me when I say that I will gladly explain everything when we get to the Shin headquarters and are settled. I will answer any questions you have. I understand that having information is what makes a Shinobi a Shinobi in a lot of cases. But have faith that I don't explain all just yet for good reason." He tips his hat upward slightly, to indicate that taking a quick power nap was no longer his intention, and that he would hear out their greivances if they had any. As he had no expectation that his words would be taken unopposed.

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    The three Uchiha exchange looks at Yōsuru's response - he was asking for trust a lot in that brief reply. In Kuroda's experience, the more a person asked for trust, the more complicated or dangerous the answer actually was. If he was asking for trust now, after what they had been through already in such short period of time...

    "Yōsuru, you needn't feel like you need to ask for trust." Kuroda says. "Trust is already there from our end. That I trust you is why I agreed to travel with you into your lands with only Hana and Yagura for my own company."

    Yagura grunts, and Hana nods with a smile.

    "Forgive me if this sounds rude - but I don't think our trust is the issue." he continues. "Do you not trust us with the truth of your condition?"

[Arata Namikaze]

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

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TAGS: Yōsuru Shin Kuroda Uchiha

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NOTES: Notes here

Arata planted his staff in the sand, settling in the shade as he listened to the conversation unfold. Truth was, he did trust Yōsuru. Not unreservedly, of course, but he trusted him more than most people he’d worked with over the past few years. In Arata’s eyes, the Shin had earned the right to a few secrets. If he said he wouldn’t be significantly hindered by his limp, then Arata was ready to take that on good faith.

He sighed a bit. “We trust you, Yōsuru. And frankly, I’m ready to take you at your word that we don’t need to know what’s going on. But it’s also the case that we have no shortage of expertise in this group. There may well be a perfect solution to your problems at the Shin hideout—but there might also be plenty of ways we can help you.”

Arata’s eyes fixed on a hawk circling above their group. It was strange to see one so far out in the desert. “If we are to be allies, then I trust you’ll reach out when you need help. I won’t say anything else—just know that I’m here to help if you need it.”
He turned his gaze toward the Uchiha. “That goes for you three, too.”

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

Arata's response was easier. Helpful compliance despite reservations. Yōsuru would never presume to get such a thing always. Nor did he resent the Uchiha for not assenting to his words immediately. He knew what he was asking for was a lot to ask of anyone, but he also knew at this point in their journey they couldn't afford to get distracted with the long story he'd have to tell to explain what was going on.

That didn't mean they deserved zero answers however.

"The short answer is its an old war wound." Not technically untrue. "It hasn't given me any grief in a long time but it appears a year or so of rest suddenly becoming active again has irritated it. It's painful, but I'm experienced enough to travel the sands regardless. As long as we reach our destination within a decent amount of time as I believe we will. It won't be a further issue."

He looks at all four of his companions with a serious expression, to show them that he wasn't just kidding around or pulling some kind of prank on them. "Where it that we were travelling to a place I am not so familiar with I would accept that I am too injured to be of use. Yet I know these deserts like the back of my hand. This wound will not deter me."

As if to prove his point he uses his cane to raise himself back up to his feet, taking a few steps back into the hot sun. "I think about a half day...then the sand's shall be red, and we shall be close to our destination." He nods to himself and sets off, the others free to follow when they wished.

THREAD EXIT, JOURNEY CONTINUES IN DEN OF SCAVENGERS

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    The Uchiha trio listen to Arata and Yōsuru's exchange, now finally understanding what had Yōsuru so bothered. An old war wound was indeed something to be concerned about, but it seemed more like Yōsuru was worried about seeming weak, rather than much else. It was a matter of confidence for the man, most likely. But none of them disparage Yōsuru for it.

    "Hmph. For having that wound, you fight pretty damn well when you need to." Yagura grunts. "I don't see it slowing you down enough that you should worry about our opinions of it. Most are lucky to escape war with just wounds. But, that's neither here nor there."

    "Half a day isn't so bad - that is manageable even for us, being as unfamiliar with the desert as we are." Hana adds, smiling. "If nothing else, this just shows your determination to get back home."

    "That said," Kuroda grunts, standing up as Yōsuru does, "I'd rather make it there in that given time frame. Take a drink, and we'll move on."

    Kuroda and his compatriots all take modest gulps from their water skins, and start after Yōsuru, keen to put the sands behind them.

Exit!

[Arata Namikaze]

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

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TAGS: 

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NOTES: EXIT

Arata lingered, just for a second, as his companions all stood and made preparations for the next stage of their journey. The desert had been hot, dry, and challenging—and if what Yōsuru said about red sands was true, he expected the experience would only get worse. However, there were moments of beauty, too. His eyes had trained on a hawk circling above the dunes, gliding on the large gusts of air which dominated the skies above the Land of Wind. It was not such a bad thing, travelling with friends under a clear sky. He took a brief minute just to appreciate that.

Then, with a swig of his water, he was back on his feet. Staff in hand, he began to trudge forward through the sands once more. Yōsuru’s limp up ahead remained a concern in his mind, as did giant creature which hunted in the sands beneath them, but his mind was oddly at ease. “Bring on the red sands,” he whispered under his breath, striding toward the horizon.

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Edsauce]

Yōsuru Shin gains 11 XP
18 + 11 = 29

Kuroda Uchiha gains 11 XP
19 + 11 = 30

Arata Namikaze gains 11 XP
26 + 11 = 37