Dancing Amid the Flames {open}

[Suzaku Akashimi]

Suzaku was just beginning his private training for the day. It was early in the day and the sun had only been up for maybe an hour. Its bright rays casting long shadows that seemed to dance along the ground. He had taken time to just look at the beauty all around him. He had been so enraptured by the beauty that he had forgotten what he had come there for.

When he snapped back to his senses, he stood out in the middle of a field. He was afraid to practice in the forest or in a field with flowers. He would be devastated if he destroyed them accidentally. They were so beautiful and he couldn't bear it if he harmed them unnecessarily.

He took up his pose and took in a deep breath. today he was going to perform a "dance" of fire that would be quite beutiful. He had been developing it in his head for a while now, and today he thought he was prepared to execute it. the plan was to mix his acrobatics and dancing taijutsu style with his most beautiful fire jutsu.

He began his dance with a song playing in his head. It was a little upbeat and had a lot of rhythm to it. He gracefully moved along the ground and his handseals seemed apart of the dance as he performed them. He made his first flip and used the fire stream jutsu with it, making a dazzling effect of a swirling ribbon of fire around him as he added a twist in the flip. His grace and the beauty of the flames was astounding as he went through the steps adding jutsu in with his dance, like planned on special effects. The dance ended with the feathers of the pheonix jutsu floating gracefully in the air like confetti and then a fire burst jutsu sent up a grand explosion behind him. That was the one that he put too much power into. He had set up the jutsu with a cartwheel to place his hands on the ground and when it was released, clumps of dirt flew everywhere. He had intended for the burst of flames to be weak and just a nice sized blaze that would just dissipate immediately. Of course that wasn't what happened.

For the most part the dance had been perfect but that ending disheartened Suzaku a little bit. He had been knocked on his butt by the explosion and so he picked himself up off the ground to look at the damage he'd done it wasn't too bad really. Just a scorched 10 ft circle in the grass. He sighed at what he had done. and said "Well that's why I need practice,"

He was didn't feel like practicing anymore and he had used up some chakra but he thought he had wasted too much. this wasn't the case. Suzaku had never actually noticed that he had never run out of chakra ever and always seemed to have plenty more for whatever he wanted. The only reason he ever thought he hould conserve it was because that was just being a good shinobi. the other reason he wanted to get back home was because he wanted to help his mom with breakfast. He always liked spending time with her and helping her do things. Plus cooking was one of the many soothing things he did. It wasn't that his life was stressful at all, it was simply a meditative activity to him.

He began his long walk home through the trees.

[kristen]

From the line of trees that surrounded the field, Sumi watched the boy do his dance. Of corse she wasn't following or anything of the sort, she was taking a small hike when she came across the field and the boy. His flexibility rivaled many girls she knew and his acrobatics where amazing. Parred with his fire jutsu, the dance was unmatched in beauty.

Every graceful movement, Sumi watched in aw. She almost thought to use her Byakugan to see it's beauty in a new prospective, but thought better of it. Byakugan was meant to be used for missions and training, not just for fun and games. Still, the thought crossed her mind.

She was sad when the dance ended, and slightly disappointed at the ending. The boy had put to much chakra into and he had fallen.

When he got up and headed for the forest, Sumi noticed that he was heading right for her! She didn't know what to do! What if he didn't like people watching him while he was training, she knew she didn't. She just stood there dumbly, not knowing what to do.

[Suzaku Akashimi]

Suzaku was looking down as he walked towards the trees. He was still lost in thought and didn't notice the girl standing next to the trees until he was almost 10 feet away from her. He looked up at her and looked surprised and then he looked away and blushed. He was positive that she had seen him just now. He was always shy around strangers and since he didn't know this girl, he was embarrassed to have been performing his little dance. It was even worse, and his face got even redder, when he remembered that he had just got knocked on his butt by his own jutsu.

He wasn't sure what to do really so he just stood there and she didn't leave. Finally he got up the courage to speak.

"Hi, did you just see me danc... i mean practicing?" he said in a quiet and slightly shaky voice.
That always happened when he talked to cute strangers. He was a little in awe of their beauty until he got to know them better. He couldn't help it. He was just thankful that he didn't look like a fool like some boys did when they talked to girls. In all actuality, he got along a little better with girls than he did with boys. He may not really care what people thought of him but that didn't mean he intended to look stupid.

[kristen]

Sumi watched the boy as he stopped about 10 feet away from her. His surprised look and little blush made her feel sorry for him, he must have been so embarrassed. His quite and shaky voice didn't make her feel better about her watching his training.

"Umm, yeah I did." she rubbed her head with her hand. "Sorry." That was all she could think to say as a breeze gently blew her long black pigtails. She too was blushing slightly, making it look even more pronounced with her pale skin.

[Suzaku Akashimi]

Suzaku felt bad. He must have made the girl feel guilty for watching him. That wasn't his intention at all. He just was embarrassed that someone had seen him dancing. He had only done it in front of his parents and at recitals or in fights. He always got compliments on his grace and movement style. The truth was he was rather modest and praise always embarrassed him.

"It's okay. I just didn't know someone was watching me. i usually don't perform for people because i get embarrassed afterwards, but while I'm dancing nothing seems to phase me. I'm sort of invincible and the whole world just fades away. It's just that when I stop it's like I come back down to Earth." He explained in a sort of rushed voice. He didn't want to make the girl feel bad at all. He was too nice to do that to anybody.

"I'm Suzaku by the way. It's nice to meet you" He said with a genuine smile on his face that always seemed to brighten up peoples day. The breeze blew a little bit of hair out of place and into his eyes. He brushed it aside and extended his hand in greeting. He had just realized that he was talking to someone and hadn't even introduced himself yet.

[FubukiTsunami]

A flute was playing a couple of yards from the west. It was an enchanting noise and the animals seems to awaken to the noise and attracted to it. It seemed to be coming closer and closer along with the sound of foot steps. What was playing the music? It probably came from the figure coming towards the direction of Suzaku and Sumi.

The figure was a tall lean male with pale blue hair. This hair was straight and swaying in the breeze. His skin was a pale peach color, almost as pale as snow. His eyes were shut and yet he was still playing his flute skillfully. He was wearing blue silk robes and over it was a brown colored cloak covering most of it. However a Jounin vest was visible from under the cloak. Suddenly he halted his movement and stopped playing.

The boy opened his eyes revealing his golden brown colored orbs that glittered in the light. A slight smirk on his face appeared as he began putting his flute away. As he put his flute away he began to chuckle.

"What a coincidence..." The male stated as a smirk appeared on his face as he looked at Sumi and Suzaku. His eyes were full of amusement and mischief. "On my first day of traveling...I meet two ninja from Konoha. Nice to meet you two. I am Fubuki no Tsunami of Kiri."

[kristen]

"Sumi." she replied with a smile and shook Suzaku's hand. That's about when she heard the sound of a flute playing. I was a nice melody. She looked around the forest, the sound seemingly coming from every where. Where was it coming from?

Soon she found the source. A man dressed in blue robes, which were covering his barely visible Jounin vest, was calmly walking toward the two with his eyes closed, playing his tune.

When he finally reached them he introduced himself, so she, in tern, introduced herself.

"I am Tochigi, Sumi of Konoha." she said with a small bow, showing her respect to a shaboi of a higher rank than herself.

[Suzaku Akashimi]

He was glad to make Sumi's acquaintance but then he was surprised by the next intrusion of another person. Had they seen him dancing too?! was there an entire crowd of people out here. The melody from the flute was a pretty little tune and appreciated its artistic value. Then he looked at the newcomer. He said he was a jounin from the Mist village and yet there was something very familiar about him. He knew this jounin and yet he had never been to the Mist village before. What was this feeling?

"Hello, it is nice to meet you Fubuki-san," he said showing respect for a stranger. What was the current relationship between Konoha and Kiri again. Were they enemies and should he flee from this powerful opponent? That would be very rude if he was wrong so he decided to stay until he was sure.

"Did you say that this was your first day of travel? You must move very quickly to have come from the water country all the way to the fire country in one day. But if you wish i can escort you back into the village and to wherever you want to go, so that you can begin your business or take a rest if you wish." he said to Fubuki. He hardly masked his confusion about how and why he felt like he knew this man but he wasn't going to come rigtout and ask him where they had met before.
Then he looked to Sumi for a little support.

[kristen]

Sumi was also confused. When Suzaku looked to her for some support, she gave him a confused smile. She too didn't know what the relationship between her own village and this man's. Was he a friend? an Enemy? she didn't know. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, but kept a hand near the bag on her hip that kept her kuni(sp).

[FubukiTsunami]

“Neh? Why are you two are so tense? It isn’t like I am an assassin. I am just a shinobi on vactation trip.” Fubuki stated with a chuckle as he glanced at the two shinobi in front of him. The girl he guessed was a Hyuuga, because of her eyes. The boy seem to be a katon user but what is with his aura? And why did he feel familiar? "I would love for you to escort me to your village. It would be a great place to rest up."

((OOC: I decided to bring some action into the topic...))

Suddenly, he sensed coming towards the three of them. Fubuki narrowed his eyes and pulled out his katana at his waist. He Jumped infront of Sumi and Suzaku and twirled his sword infront of him very fast as shuriken came hurling at the three. The shuriken were then threw back at where they came from. "Kyuuruuken (Swift Current Style) Kenjutsu-Dragon Tunnel!" Fubuki calmly stated with a frown after he announced his attack.

This caused 3 rouge ninjas come out from the bushes nearby. They had a scratched out Rain headbands. This caused a frown to from on Fubuki's face and he narrowed his eyes and prepare to unleash another attack. This caused his eyes to glow an eerie metallic color and chakra began to form around him and his blade.

"Kyuuruuken (Swift Current Style) Kenjutsu-Dragon Strike!!" Fubuki shouted and slammed his sword into the ground. This caused a small shockwave and a cloud of dirt to form, however this wasn't the real attack...A dragon made of icy blue colored chakra came hurling at the small band of rouge ninja.
It collided into the group of three and sent them flying into a tree.
When they they hit the tree they soon fell on concious.

Fubuki's face slowly formed a small smirk and he was about to turn to turn to Sumi and Suzaku but suddenly he feel onto his knees. With a cough and clutching his chest, Fubuki coughed out a pile of blood. Fubuki then struggled to get up using his sword as a walking cane/stick.

[Suzaku Akashimi]

Suzaku heard the shuriken flying through the air but didn't react as quickly as Fubiki did. He was very impressed with her skills as she took down the three apparent ex Rain village shinobi without even breaking a sweat. He had relaxed too much after he heard that she was on vacation. The relief that came with the knowledge that she wasn't an enemy was broken by the assault on them.

He let go a sigh too soon after the three fell to the ground against the tree they had hit, because the next moment Fubuki was on his knees coughing up blood. His immediate reaction was to squat down next to Fubuki.

"What's the matter were you hit with something?" He asked calmly. It was important to stay calm right now and to keep his wits about him because this may have still been a battle. Had those ninja been watching him too? Were they there to attack him but then Sumi and Fubuki botched their ambush plan?

Fubuki was too busy coughing up blood to answer him immediately so he stood up and pulled out a kunai and looked around. If there was still someone out there then he was going to fight them and drag all of them back to the village. He was glad to see that Sumi had also drawn a kunai and that Fubuki was able to at least try and get to his feet.

Suzaku felt an unexplainable rage that Fubuki was bleeding. He wasn't upset that he had been attacked. that was the life of a Shinobi wasn't it? But the fact that this familiar person was bleeding had him outraged and yet he didn't know why.

"If there is anyone else out there I highly suggest you come out now or im going to have to set the whole forest on fire!" he yelled out to anyone else out there hiding.

[kristen]

"Byakugan." Sumi whispered, the jutsu started almost immediately, her sight now heightening in power. After Fubuki's small demonstration on the rouge rain village ninja, there was no doubt why he was a Jounin. "I don't see any so far" she commented in a low voice, her kunai in her hand. Oh crap! Fubuki-san is bleeding! Calm, stay calm. Suzaku is taking care of him, just stay alert and try to fight off anyone who comes near.

[FubukiTsunami]

"Stupid diease...If it wasn't for this blasted thing I wouldn't be so tired out." Fubuki muttered as he coughed out some blood even more. He managed to pull himself up and get into a battle stance.

"I sense at least 8 more..." Fubuki stated with a cough as he clutched his chest and tried to stand up. He reached into a pouch on his waist and pulled out a tablet and began chewing on it. After a few seconds he seemed in better shape. He wasn't coughing blood anymore at least.

It was just in time to as two ninja each ran at Fubuki,Suzaku, and Sumi. Fubuki blocked the first attack of the first attacker with his sword and flipped over the second attacker's attack. This caused the first attacker to get accidently hit. Deciding to finish thing off quickly, Fubuki's katana crackled with icy blue chakra as she slammed her sword onto the attacker's head, knocking him.

Fubuki fell onto his knees and panting again. It seemed the medication he took didn't last too long.'Looks like I don't have long to live if I don't cure this disease...'Fubuki thought with a chuckle. He then noticed the last two ones (besides the two that are attacking Suzaku and Sumi) are running at him, preparing to attack. Fubuki struggled to stand up as he clutched his chest in pain.

[Jin [진]]

It had been a good month since seeing a gated community, whether it be a village or a small town. The life alone was hard, but perseverance was strong with him, and he was going to let a little hardship stop him. He had a job to do, and he needed to make progress while he was strongest. So, deciding it was finally time, Jin set out to find the other three like him. The only problem with it is, he had no clue where to start searching. For all he knew, they could be on top of a mountain, or living underwater. Sure they were highly unlikely, but that small bit of likely was still there. With a decision to start his search in the most populated ninja village, Kanohagakure, he set off in search for the other three Mythical Beasts...

The trip took days, especially since he had no clue where exactly it was. In addition, Jin had to remain hidden from some caravans, not wanting to expose himself to anyone from Hoshigakure. Travels proved hard, and finally he made some progress after stealing from a small convoy. A map of the countries was discovered, and apparently he wasn't far at all from the infamous Leaf Village. The travel would be at least another few hours, which was perfect for Jin. And with the new supplies from the cart, he started off, hoping to make some progress in finding the beasts.

Upon entering some of the nearest forests, the sound of battle rung into his eyes. Jin's eyes sharpened as the glanced towards the direction of the sound. Words became audible, but it was too feint to make out anything that was said. Taking a cautious approach, he hopped amongst the trees, quickly, yet silently heading towards the noise. And once getting close to a forest clearing, his stealthiness was stopped. A noise broke the silent leaves that blew in the wind. And worse, it was a voice behind him. "Wrong place, wrong time..."

Jin couldn't help but smirk, he could just tell by the sloppiness of his opponent that he wasn't as skilled as he thought he was. Sideflipping, with his feet landing on a tree, he unsheathed his sword and pushed off towards the rogue shinobi. The sword cut through the torso like a knife through hot butter, and the missing-nin didn't even gasp before falling to the floor. However, he wasn't the only one around, staring him down were three others, all with a look of malice behind their masked faces. A first one made an attempt, and he would be the first to meet demise.

"Mokuton San Katana!" he muttered under his breath. A greenish liquid engulfed his blade, and it seemed to move along with the direction he willed. With a trail set with his eyes, the liquid shot out and spiraled around the attackers head. And all at once it constricted, slicing in many spots through his head, causing another death. The other two made a dual assault, and Jin decided to finish them both off at once. Lunging at one, he controlled the liquid blade to attack the other. Thrusting his sword into the rogue ninjas chest, and the liquid blade through the chest of the other, he fell to the floor silently. Landing with the body, he pulled the sword out and ended the jutsu...

Dashing towards the clearing, he saw two more rogues attacking three people, two that seemed a bit odder in presence. With a twirl and a sheath of his sword, he executed a few hand seals and muttered a small phrase (Wooden Wire Skill). Four barbed wires shot from the ground and traveled with great intensity towards the four feet running straight for the group. The wood coiled tightly around the ankles, and tripped both rogue ninja, and before they had time to react, four more coils came up and grabbed their wrists. They were stopped completely, and left to the mercy of the group. Stepping from the shade the trees made, he stood in the light, with the cloak still masking his appearance. He said nothing, and just stared at the group that the rogue ninjas were attacking.

[kristen]

Sumi was fighting the rogue ninja with gentle fist, which was damaging the inner workings of it's chakra flow. Suddenly barbed wire wrapped around the ninja's ankles. Sumi was in a state of shock, not knowing what to do about her attacker being stuck in it's place. As soon as the ninja got out of it's state of confusion and was about to do some type of jutsu, barbed wire grabbed it's wrists and pined it to the ground.

Sumi looked around. All of their attackers where pinned to the ground with the barbed wire, and standing there was a boy.