Embers

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Desolate. That's how Kuroda Uchiha would describe the scenery of the Land of Earth. It was incredible how, only so many miles away in the Land of Grass which was verdant with forests and lush vegetation, the Land of Earth seemed so barren.

    Plant life here was tough, much like the terrain. It was no small wonder, then, that the Land of Earth had so many a time fought to expand into the other smaller nations. There simply wasn't much of the land that was suitable for farming crops or raising food animals. Kuroda had never stepped foot within the national boundaries of the Land of Earth during the war, though he could confidently say he had faced more shinobi from this land than he had ever fought Senju.

    Mount Shumisen was now to the south east of their current path, and would likely serve as their last crossing when they eventually returned to the Land of Fire, given its position between this land and the Land of Grass.

    "...You really know how to pick your vacations." Yagura groans, much to Kuroda's ire. "First, we go to the Land of Wind, which is nothing but desert and worm monsters, and now we visit the Land of Earth - which is nothing but rocks and mountains."

    Kuroda rolls his eyes.

    "We've been over this twice now." Kuroda replies dryly. "I'm curious to see how the Land of Earth is rebuilding after the war. In addition, we have friends here."

    Hana spoke up at this point.

    "The Fūma Clan moved out into this country shortly before the war ended, didn't they?" she asks.

    "Not quite; the largest part of their Clan has resided here for a long time. There just happens to be some smaller groups that live outside the Land of Earth, like those who live in our village." Kuroda replies. "I haven't gotten word from them in some time, so I'm hoping to check in on them."

    "Well, either way, let's be careful." Yagura warns. "The Land of Fire and the Land of Earth are not on friendly terms. If we run into people that have a grudge against the Uchiha - which is probably a lot - then we may find ourselves in some trouble. Let's not stay longer than we need to."

---

Kuroda:
CP: 17/17
HP: 0/320

Ninjutsu: 9
Taijutsu: 1
Genjutsu: 1
Technique: 1
Toughness: 1
Speed: 1
Stamina: 1

Items: None

Traits: [BOON] SHARINGAN -LOCKED-, [BASE] FIERCE FIRE (1/1)

---

Hana:
CP: 18/18
HP: 0/340

Ninjutsu: 6
Taijutsu: 1
Genjutsu: 1
Technique: 1
Toughness: 2
Speed: 1
Stamina: 3

Traits: Dōjutsu - Sharingan (+x1 when active/1), Elemental Gift

---

Yagura:
CP: 16/16
HP: 0/320

Ninjutsu: 5
Taijutsu: 5
Genjutsu: 1
Technique: 1
Toughness: 1
Speed: 1
Stamina: 1

Traits: Dōjutsu - Sharingan (+x1 when active/1), Elemental Gift

---

Summoning - Not yet present

Ginneko:
Ninjutsu: 1
Taijutsu: 4
Genjutsu: 1
Technique: 1
Toughness: 1
Speed: 4
Stamina: 3

Traits: None


WC: 382

[Takeo Lee]

Standing behind a rock formation, leaning back against it, he listened in to what he now counted as three talking. He wasn't quite sure who they were yet as he hadn't been in a position to get a look at them, but listening to them talk was curious. Speaking of friends in the land of Earth and more specifically the Fuma caught his attention. As far as he was aware the Fuma Clan didn't exactly have a lot of friends, especially not from the land of Wind, and those he was aware of here wouldn't talk about them as these three were.     So they weren't from the land of Wind, they didn't seem to be from the land of Earth either, which didn't leave too many other options of those being this up on their knowledge of the Fuma. Immediately his eyes narrowed as they gave themself away before he had to guess further or ask directly; these were Fire Shinobi.     Shinobi from the Land of Fire that considered themselves from of the Fuma, willing to travel here to see them. If his assumption was correct this could be incredibly problematic under the right circumstances. Deciding to get right to the center of this situation he sprinted to the top of the formation he had been behind, maybe ten foot off the ground, and looked over the edge speaking down. If things got hairy he could make a run for it before they got up to him.     Before he spoke however he got a full look at the three and narrowed his eyes into a stare. "What are Uchiha doing in the Land of Earth, and what do you want with the Fuma Clan here?"

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: Katana

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    The moment the sound of movement across the stones caught into the wind and reached the ears of the Uchiha, they had immediately stopped in their tracks. Hana took three steps back and further left of Kuroda, while Yagura mirrored this action on Kuroda's right side. Kuroda himself remained in place.

    When Takeo appeared atop an elevated stone to look down upon them, all three of them turn their sharp eyes on the person. Hana and Yagura then turn, looking around their surroundings, listening and staring - watching for any sign of there being more people in hiding.

    Kuroda's gaze never leaves Takeo.

    "I forgot how well sound travels through places like this." Kuroda says, not immediately answering Takeo's question. "I suppose that was rather careless of us. Something to remember later, I suppose."

    "I'm not seeing any signs of others being here." Yagura says.

    "Likewise. I think it's just this guy." Hana affirms. The two of them turn back to Takeo, both clearly ready to take action if it became necessary.

    "Well, we know how that assumption went before. Stay on guard." Kuroda says, turning his head only slightly to address them while keeping his eyes on Takeo.

    Kuroda takes two steps forward.

    "Our business is our own, and not for a stranger to know." Kuroda replies. It was possible that this man was one of the Fūma, but his rather ominous garb didn't show any of the usual signs of that kind of belonging. If anything, the man demanding answers looked like a vagabond. "We aren't looking for trouble, but if you are, then you'll find us to be a lot more trouble than is worth starting."

    Both Yagura and Hana's eyes suddenly shift - changing to an almost glowing crimson set of orbs. Two sets of Sharingan now gaze up at Takeo, but the two remain silent and still.

    "My name is Uchiha Kuroda." he says, not expecting the bandaged man before him to know the name. "Let's not make a fight of this; come down and tell me your name. It's a more polite way to start a conversation, after all."

---

Hana and Yagura Narratively activate their Sharingan, but not mechanically as combat has not been initiated.

WC:354

Kuroda:
CP: 16/16
HP: 0/320

---

Hana:
CP: 18/18
HP: 0/340

---

Yagura:
CP: 16/16
HP: 0/320

[Takeo Lee]

"That business is mine when strangers from another country enter this one, and uncomfortably close to somewhere they shouldn't be."     He was purposefully vague on exactly where that somewhere was, for no other reason than to make them wonder or assume. This wasn't near where the Lee were staying, but they didn't need to know that, and perhaps if they had made that assumption they might even think someone else could be close by.     It wasn't likely to be the warmest of welcomes for another Shinobi from the Fire lands here in the Land of Earth, especially three traveling together. Even here, Shinobi were aware of the Uchiha for various reasons and to varying degrees, so his guard was immediately up before he had shown himself. For all he knew they might attack him now, so he was prepared to run at a moments notice. "Three Shinobi seeming to be from the Land of Fire, three Uchiha, here in the Land of Earth, is unusual, regardless of any trouble you claim not to be looking for. I'd say you can't possibly be that naive."     His eyes narrowed as he slammed his scythe down onto the rock, making a point of doing so to make it seen, he looked between Hana and Yagura. The one in the center was claiming they weren't looking for trouble, but activating their Sharingan in such a way while proclaiming they weren't looking for a fight immediately put him on edge. "Perhaps you are naive. I'm well aware of the weapons those eyes of yours are.. Flashing a weapon is usually how a Shinobi shows their intent to fight, not how you start a polite conversation."     Saying that, he immediately spun his weapon and placed it behind his back in some unseen way, leaving both his hands empty, but clearly still on edge. "No chance I come down there with three Uchiha strangers, two wielding those eyes so brazenly."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: Katana

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda shakes his head.

    "No, that still does not make it your business." he counters. "You look to me to have little to do with patrols. And brandishing that weapon does little to dissuade us of your own probably intent."

    "And you speak quite ignorantly, stranger." Yagura grunts, not backing down. "We've been ambushed once already, so we'll use our Sharingan when we so see fit. Especially when we get hassled by some person sticking their nose in our business when we are doing little more than walking down the road. At least we know that, so far, this doesn't seem like another ambush. If it is, it's poorly planned."

    "That's enough." Kuroda says calmly, glancing back at Yagura. "Let's not push things, it's tense enough as it is."

    He turns back to Takeo.

    "Our Sharingan should be considered a warning against fighting, if I were to follow your logic." Kuroda says, holding up his hands to show that he wasn't holding any weapons. The handle to his short sword can be seen, now that his sleeve moved off of it. "I understand the desire to protect your home - we do much the same. But you are the one who started this aggressively. If you won't at least come down here to talk, then I ask that you at least drop the hostility. There doesn't need to be a confrontation - but neither do we need to answer your questions without knowing who you are or who you work for."

    "Lord Kuroda, we should just go around them." Yagura says gruffly. "If they attack us, then we can put them down and get on with our day."

    "Yagura, hush." Hana says, looking at the older man indignantly. "Let him handle this."

    "Would it be easier if I came up to you, then?" Kuroda asks, ignoring Yagura and Hana. "I would like for this to not escalate if possible."

---

WC:317

Kuroda:
CP: 16/16
HP: 0/320

---

Hana:
CP: 18/18
HP: 0/340

---

Yagura:
CP: 16/16
HP: 0/320

[Takeo Lee]

"I'm not sure you are in any position to tell me what is and isn't my business. You are more than welcome to turn around and head back to your Land of Fire, though. You can keep your business all to yourself, there."     This meeting was off to a terrible start to be frank, and as far as Takeo was concerned at this point, they were one step off from treading very dangerous waters. He was incredibly protective of his home and was very proud of his home country, and certainly had no love for those from the Land of Fire. Knowing what he at least thought he knew of the Uchiha, he was no fan of them either.     His glare shifted to Yagura as he took it upon himself to speak up. "If you don't like what I ask and what I say, I'll repeat myself and tell you to turn around and go home. This isn't your country, and you are very close to trespassing in lands you have absolutely no business being in. This is my home, so don't dare to try and insinuate I'm ambushing you while you are walking through it speaking loudly about things you clearly don't like being questioned on."     Grabbing his weapon off his back again, he was just about finished with trying to show he wasn't a threat, as two pairs of Sharingan staring up at him made him incredibly nervous. This was becoming tense in a hurry, and while he wasn't fond of fighting three Uchiha, he wasn't going to let them keep walking through if they were in fact a threat.     Slamming his scythe back down he stood up straight and stared down at the three. His eyes focused in on who was clearly the leader of this group by how they flanked him, how he spoke for them, and how he was the only one not using his Sharingan in a what he perceived as a threatening manner. "Your Sharingan tells me your first instinct is to fight, despite saying you want to politely talk. Would you feel at ease if two more of my clan walked out holding weapons and pointing them at you? Would you even believe they didn't have threatening motives?"     He tilted his head confused at the accusation pointed towards him, scratching the side of the head with the backside of his blade. "In what way was I aggressive? I made sure I was a distance away from you up here, made myself known with no weapon drawn, only to be met with hostility despite you walking through my home. Perhaps you aren't aware of the tense nature of the Lands of Earth and Fire otherwise you'd understand my apprehension and curiosity of three shinobi walking through like this. So when I ask what I've asked, it isn't because I'm being nosy and obtrusive just for the sake of it."     Shaking his head heavily, he quickly waved Kuroda off. "I think it's best we keep this distance for now if your true intentions are to talk."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: Katana

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda sighs with exasperation and shakes his head. This was the second time the man had flourished his weapon - flourished, not brandished, a distinction Kuroda knew well as a means of intimidation.

    "If you and Yagura here are quite finished with your back and forth?" Kuroda says, his tone chiding. "The war is over. It has been over for over a year now. We have travelled through the Land of Rivers, Wind, and the Stone before reaching this Land, and have found the roads to be just fine with our passing."

    Kuroda lets his arms hang down.

    "You do not strike me as a person with the authority to say who does and does not walk the roads of the Land of Earth. If your Daimyo takes offense, then their soldiers and shinobi may turn us back." Kuroda says, now giving warning to his voice. "If we have been so loud, then you already know we are here to visit with the Fūma Clan. The nature of that visit is not in fact your business to know. If we meant harm to your country, I assure you, we three would not be coming here alone with so few bodies, and so little provisions."

    Kuroda puts his hands on his hips, regarding the man with visible annoyance.

    "As you have heard, my name is Kuroda Uchiha - I stand as the Uchiha Clan Head. You, I very much doubt hold the authority to stand in my way." Kuroda says. "We will not be turned out of our way by one person, so you can stop banging that weapon around. I will ask you once to back down. This is your last warning - if we have to go through you to get to the Fūma village, we will do so."

    Kuroda's eyes narrow, and he rests his palm on the hilt of his short sword. Compared to the scythe being wielded by Takeo, it was hardly impressive in comparison. But the threat was clear. Yagura and Hana stiffen, ready to move if Takeo made any aggressive movement.

    "Or you could simply walk the road with us." Kuroda says. "Don't let your imagination run your decisions - I've had more than enough killing during the war, and I am not interested in being forced into a conflict that doesn't need to happen."

---

WC: 389

[Takeo Lee]

There was a soft sigh as he raised his arm, pinching and rubbing at the bridge of his nose. Dropping his arm once more he simply shook his head, giving a sarcastic laugh before responding. "Head of the Uchiha clan; hmph. You are far from home, and if the war was over one year or one-hundred, at least make an effort to show more restraint with your attitudes. You have to be aware of the tensions still lingering between our countries, yes?"     At Kuroda's words, he lifted and loudly banged his weapon against the ground and stared down at him. A second time he lifted his weapon and smacked it against the stone before lifting it and leaning it against his shoulder lazily. "Your arrogance to warn me of anything..."     Making a scoffing noise with a heavy exhale, he put the weapon away once more on his back and leaned back down in a squatting position. At no point had he taken his attention from the three, but he was looking between all three now, somewhat expecting them to attack at any moment. "The way you act makes me think you are either looking for a fight or hiding something that should worry me."     Making a wide sweeping motion to all three below him, he spoke more calmly. "Think about this scenario from my perspective, If you were alone and three of my clan were far too close to somewhere you weren't comfortable with them being, and when you questioned us we started grabbing for our weapons and threatening to go through you because you were wary of strangers. I'd venture to guess you'd be far less calm than I am now."     His stare was turning into a glare, and a look of paranoia if there was such a thing. "You keep saying you don't want a fight, you don't want this to escalate, while you bare your Sharingan fangs and grab for your weapon, hand on hilt, tell me you'll go through me despite showing no attempts to physically stop you, some ten feet above you in no way blocking your path. All you've shown me is you Uchiha from your Land of Fire are a violent sort. At the first sign of verbal discourse and a line of questioning you dislike, you immediately jump to threats. I've no doubt my own clan leader and certainly many others will find the diplomatic skills of the Uchiha unique."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: N/A

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    "He's not listening to a thing you're saying, Lord Kuroda." Yagura says, looking irritably at Takeo. "And he's been rude on top of all that nonsense - you asked for his name, and he hasn't said it, even after you gave yours and ours."

    "He is being rather stubborn." Hana grudgingly agrees. "But I don't think we need to force him out of our way - he's up on that rock, and we're on the road."

    "If we walk past, then he can try to sneak up behind us, or follow us and try something at night." Yagura says, leering at Takeo. "Besides - listening to this guy, I can tell that he's trying to antagonize us into attacking first. Gives him a credible reason for a self defense argument, and then relations between the Earth and Fire will strain again."

    Kuroda takes in their concerns, and gazes at Takeo.

    "I understand your perspective - but I advise you listen to what I have been saying to you so far. Right now, you are operating on assumptions of imagined intent. Intent, that does not exist, intent we have not shown, and intent that cannot be proven true nor false besides our word. Your choice of words are what is making this situation a tense one, and I do not care what your Clan Leader may or may not think - and you should never assume to speak for them."

    Kuroda turns to Hana and Yagura.

    "We're going forward." he says. "This debate is running in circles, wasting our time. I will not be antagonized into striking first. If this person wants a fight, they will have to be the one to start it. We have more important things to do than argue endlessly over the same points time and again."

    Kuroda turns back to Takeo.

    "We are taking our leave of you, but not of the Land of Earth. Do as you see fit to do - but know that any hostile act you take against us will be met." Kuroda says, finality in his tone. "Don't make the mistake of attacking us."

    With that, Kuroda turns away from Takeo, and starts up the road once more. Hana and Yagura linger only a few moments, leering warningly up at Takeo before turning and walking swiftly to keep pace with Kuroda.

---

WC: 384

[Takeo Lee]

Without a word or an immediate response, he jumped away from the rock he was on, and seemed to be leaving, at least at first, but he could be seen just a bit further up the road having jumped to another slightly taller rock formation.      Pulling his weapon from his back again he bent his knees and jumped, raising the weapon, but too far to attack any of the three. As he started to descend, he stared down and with an action so fast it was likely hard to fully keep track of, he sliced at the rock. Landing back on top, it started to move, a long slice of his incredibly sharp blade having diagonally cut it, as the top piece slid down, finally falling off and landing right in the path the three were headed, partially blocking them. "My name is Takeo Lee."     Jumping down so he wasn't standing on the rock at a ridiculous looking angel trying to talk, he looked back and forth for a moment, before putting his weapon away again behind his back. "Tell me anything, anything at all of what you want with the Fuma, and I'll lead you to them myself. I know some of them personally, would call them friends even, and while not as protective of them as I am my own, it's not far off."     Given where the rock had fallen and where he stood, he was technically further away from them now than he was higher before, but now he was directly in front of them, and making a point to keep his distance.    "You have to know, as the leader of the Uchiha, from the Land of Fire, that you wouldn't be welcome in this country with open arms, and would no doubt be met with skepticism and questions. The leader of an infamous Shinobi bloodline walking into these lands is incredibly suspicious. More so when you refuse to give any reasons for being here."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: N/A

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    At the sight of Takeo slicing through the stone, causing it to block the road, both Hana and Yagura stepped faster and placed themselves between Takeo and Kuroda. The bandaged man set his weapon against his back again, but now he was actively getting in their way, go so far as to physically block the road - which would probably anger some foreman or road maintenance workers for a solid week when they found it.

    Kuroda places his hands of Hana and Yagura's shoulders, stepping ahead of them.

    "Takeo Lee, then." he had heard of the Lee Clan, if the man was meaning the Shinobi clan, which circumstances suggest that he does. They severely lack skill in Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, but where they lacked in those areas, they made up for in their intense Taijutsu. Kuroda would know - in skirmishes against the Land of Earth near the borders of the Land of Grass, he'd faced a few of them.

    Kuroda considered it for a moment.

    "I still do not believe that our business with the Fūma should be your concern, but now that you've blocked the road, you're showing signs of escalating further." Kuroda says. He wasn't averse to fighting his way forward, but if he was going to fight, he needed the reason to be something better than just because he was annoyed. Takeo Lee had not attacked, and so Kuroda withheld his own. "So in the spirit of disproving your remarks about the Uchiha always resorting to violence - a silly notion, when one considers our reputation was earned in wartime and not in peace - I'll tell you the bare minimum."

    "We don't need this punk to lead us to the Fūma village. We already know the way." Yagura grunts irritably.

    Kuroda held up a hand, but doesn't say anything to Yagura.

    "We are visiting the Fūma Clan." Kuroda says simply. "Regardless of how other Shinobi Clans may view we Uchiha, we maintain a goodstanding relationship with the Fūma - as they are our distant relatives."

---

WC: 339

[Takeo Lee]

In a surprising moment of self-awareness, giving the situation, Takeo looked back and contorted his face, though no one but himself would know that. He was in fact seemingly escalating more than the act was intended to display, but even that much was partially lost in his mind at the moment. His immaturity was really shining through, and despite speaking on how he's go and tell this and that person, speak on the events, the truth was they would have found the way he was acting rather disappointing.     A young man once, and potentially still being groomed for a future leadership position within his clan, thinking that his actions were just, wanting nothing more than to protect his lands from an imaginary threat. Barely a year removed from being a child, and still acting like one. What little amount of self-awareness had appeared was once more gone, as he stared down the three Uchiha, doubling down on where he stood both in both the literal and figurative sense.     What Kuroda said at the end of his statement however was a bit of a surprise, but not completely out of the realm of possibility. He knew well enough they had some sort of relationship, at least in the Land of Fire, and he had made some assumptions, but it certainly filled in some gaps. "I.....see."     If someone had walked up behind him and slapped him in the back of the head, it was likely to be about equal to how he felt with the information given, if it was true. Had this entire situation been an extreme case of overreacting? Sure, his intentions, at least in his mind, were well...... intentioned, but he had made an ass of himself and seemed to be the only one not realizing it.     Raising his arm up he tossed his hood back and just started to laugh, not that loud, but more nervously. "Guess that explains a few things. Now I look like an idiot."     Turning towards the rock, he gave it a swift, hard punch, speaking barely loud enough to hear. "Nice one Takeo."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: Katana

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    "You mean you are an idiot..." Yagura remarks, and then irritably grunts when Hana slams an elbow into Yagura's left side. "What?"

    "It takes one to know one, now cut it out!" Hana growls. Yagura sighs, and at the same time, both Hana and Yagura's Sharingan seem to fade back into their normal eye colors.

    Kuroda takes a few steps forward, placing his left hand on his hip and allowing the right to hang loosely at his side, half hidden by the long, flowing sleeve.

    "I take it that now there is less of a problem?" Kuroda asks. "I did say I wanted to settle this situation without a fight, but you've been very adamant that we were looking for trouble. Right now, I'd say the only trouble on this road is that stone blocking the way."

    Kuroda starts forward, and stops not too far from Takeo, assuming he didn't leap away at Kuroda's approach, and gazes at the stone.

    "It's no good to let this stay here." he says conversationally. "I suppose you don't have any Earth Release Ninjutsu? If not, Yagura does. He can clear this out of the way."

    "Or we can just go over it..." Yagura mutters, but rolls his shoulders in preparation all the same.

---

WC: 210

[Takeo Lee]

For all that he could admit, at least partially, to himself that he had been wrong in parts about the situation, he wasn't going to come out and lay it out that simply to any of the three in front of him. Being called an idiot certainly didn't make him want to go shaking hands and making friends, as he glared over at Yagura.     Seeing him being scolded by one of the others caught him off guard however, and as both of them had finally let their Sharingan dissipate back into their normal eyes, he noticeably relaxed. No blades drawn, no threats made, no quite frankly intimidating traits staring him in the face. He was still on edge a bit given there were still three of them and one of him, so when Kuroda stepped forward he stood up more straight and stared him down cautiously, watching him carefully. "I still don't trust you fully, but I'm not as suspicious as I was."     Turning around, he gave the stone a bit of a hard push, knowing it wasn't going to budge so easily, but giving a sigh all the same. He hadn't quite thought that one through, to say the least. Realizing how much closer Kuroda was now, he backed up some, but didn't completely jump away or move so far back as to look like he might run away. "I could move it eventually, but guessing you don't want to stand around watching me chop it into smaller pieces."

NP: 15 Ninjutsu: 1 Taijutsu: 6 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 1 Speed: 3 Stamina: 2 Chakra Pool: 17 Chakra Regen: 5 Health Pool: 320 Affinity: Wind Clan: Lee Items: Katana

aeron at thq

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    "I don't expect your trust. Trust is something you give implicitly, or not at all. And seldom ever should you give that trust to someone you have never met." Kuroda says idly, checking the stone over. "It's rather easy to tell someone to trust me, but trust is something both parties of a situation have to earn. Like respect, trust is earned, not given freely."

    Kuroda turns to Yagura.

    "Should be a pretty easy thing to move." he says to Yagura, who nods.

    "Right - then move out of the way. I don't want to accidently crush one of you." Yagura replies. He steps forward, stepping into the space Kuroda vacates, and begins weaving hand signs. "Clean cut, that weapon's a nasty one. But, par for the course - a weapon knows its purpose."

    Yagura completes the symbol weaving, and claps his hands together - the ground beneath the stone rumbles, and a pillar of stone erupts from the ground at a seventy degree angle, thrusting the stone off the road and then slowly retreating back into the ground. The stone piece flips off the road, tumbling a few times before the clean edge digs into the ground, halting its momentum. The only remaining proof there had been something in the road is the ground that had been churned by the jutsu.

    "There. Easy as that." Yagura says, "Can we go now?"

    Kuroda smirks at Yagura and shakes his head. He turns to Takeo.

    "Well then - you offered to lead the way. We know the way to the Fūma village - but I assume you were thinking of taking another route. One that leads away from whatever it is that we are close enough to that warrented your concern?" Kuroda asks.

---

WC: 288