The Lost War and Heart: Finding Hope and Courage to Fight [Original]

[sephiroth2]

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As Sirius slowly walked away from Sylfae, he started to realise that his movement was becoming a little struggling.
Suddenly, at that moment, a dome comprised of condensed wind, began to from around a small part of the area. As he turned around, he noticed that only himself, and Sylfae were in the enclosed area.

Just as he was about to make a move, Sirius noticed that he could not move. At that second, he knew the cause.
At first he felt constricted, most likely a Wind Compression Jutsu!. The second, he felt a very sharp pain in the lower region of his body, almost like stabs, obviously a Wind Impalement Jutsu!. And by looking around him, he could easily tell it was a Barrage of Winds Jutsu!.

Sirius noticed Sylfae was smiling, before skipping back a few steps.
"Your move!" Sylfae said to the confined Sirius. Within that moment of realisation, the few wind daggers that were picked up by the Barrage of Winds Jutsu, ended up impaled within Sirius' back.

As Sylfae skipped back the few steps, she suddenly collided with something that was behind her. "How do you like my Shadow Clone!" Sirius said in an almost whisper to Sylfae, as he trapped clone, slowly faded away.

[Skitty Cat]

Not even paying much attention to them, she looked around taking in the trees. Returning her attention to Ryohei, she listened while he replied to Zal, she hoped that they wouldn't be ambushed.

"But. . . I'm not too sure if you two were to come along if I'm going to pay him a visit. Remember, all of our clans at war and he'll view you as the enemy."

Her mind half on the statement; she noticed the rustling of a bush near by. Glancing at Ryohei seeing if he had heard it, she glanced back at the shrub to see a young wolf come bolting out of it. Kira wasn't surprised when the gray pelted she-wolf snarled at her in hostility.

A moment later a gray haired and dark eyed girl stood before them. Snorting in disgust, she looked at Ryohei and commented hotly, "I'm truly sorry sir, but why are you hanging out if these outsiders?"

Her own ire sky rocketing at the glare, she shifted her gaze to the floor as the child continued in a kinder tone, "Yun would like to speak to you, Ryohei. He scented these pups and is quite furious that you nor Zeke reported to him. I suggest you get your tail moving before he loses his temper even more."

Remembering she hadn't given her name, the girl glared at the two and growled, "Name's Senka."

Nodding her head in acknewledgement Kira looked at the expert and asked: Is Senka always that irretable?

~- Wind Clan -~

Resting her head on the table, her eyes fluttered shut for a moment. Opening them she looked up knowing it was rude. Bowing her head she was about to apologize when Al commented, "Come, you've had a long day. I'll walk you over to the inn."

Following him she giggled at the paper flying around his hand. Smirking in an amusement she nodded her head at his next comment.

"Man, its going to take ahile to get used to this again."

Knowing that her sister was still away, River struggled to keep her eyes open until she heard her friend's question: "So River, what Jutsus have you been using lately?"

"Oh, I've been working on a few. I could show you tomorrow if you like."

Reaching the inn she turned to him and said, "Night." before she bolted inside for the night. Looking around the twilit room, she grinned at the thought of her own home's populer inn.

"Excuse me ma'am, but are you River Natsuki?"

Turning toward the person that had called out her name, she nodded her head and briskly followed them up the wooden steps. Stopping at one of the pictures River stared at it, that was until the young man moved over to stand next to her. Turning to face him, her eyes filled with curiosity, she glanced back at the photo and than followed after him.

Once they reached the portal, she nodded her thanks and pushed it open. Taken aback by the sight of it's softly, beautiful painted walls, she turned to face him and stammered, "Than... Thank you very much, sir. I give once again my thanks to you and your kind leader."

Grinning a lop sided grin, the silvery-violet headed young man looked around her room, looking back at her with a soft kindness. She wasn't at all shakened by his scarlet eyes as he said softly, "If you need anything just call my name, it's Jack Seled just so you know."

Nodding her head, River dismissed him so she could get some rest, moving over toward the bed she flopped down and the ice-blue covers. Leaving her clothes on she scrabbled underneath, closing her eyes she murmured, "I hope everything's okay."

[Akans]

Sirius suddenly appeared behind her, as his shadow clone disappeared.
Thinking quickly, Sylfae quickly used a simple Burst Jutsu, where chakra was expelled suddenly from her body, pushing Sirius away from her, and preventing any counterattacks. Sirius was proving harder to defeat than she expected. Time for something unorthodox.

Sylfae held up her arms again, and then slowly pulled them inwards, forcing the dome smaller and smaller until there was barely any space around them. It was a sphere now three or four meters wide. Working quickly, she made a separate handsign with each hand, gathering the leftover chakra from her last attack, compressing it into a small ball, and lobbed it towards Sirius.

Sylfae's modified Wind Shrapnel Jutsu emitted sparks as it cleared the distance between them, and landed on the ground in front of Sirius. It gave one last determined sparkle before exploding in a shower of cutting bits of wind, solid chakra, and blasted earth from the ground.

Sylfae herself stepped out of the wind dome, and waited a few seconds as the action inside died down. The explosion shot compressed bits of damaging wind and chakra everywhere, which was then reflected around the dome, shooting at high speeds inside.
Lifting her hand, Sylfae dissipated the dome with a flick of her wrist, and looked inside to see if Sirius had survived.

[sephiroth2]

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As the dust settled from Sylfae's massive attack, Sirius was simply standing in the center of were the dome had been, with his straight face. Suddenly the face contorted to show great pain, as the second clone, fell to the ground before disappearing.

However, from the same spot, a small pool of darkness appeared, and from it Sirius rose in a meditating stance.
"That was quite impressive!" Sleif who had just appeared behind Sylfae, said. "Sirius, you did very well. That was the first time I believe that anyone was able to bring you out?" "Yes Sir. It proved interesting!" Sirius said, as he beagn to walk towards Sylfae, stopping as soon as he faced her.

"As I said before, skill is everything here, and you have shown it greatly. Your questions will be answered!" said Sirius as he stood infront of Sylfae.

[BladeMaster Zane]

"Oh, I've been working on a few. I could show you tomorrow if you like."

"Sure, that would be nice. We could even have spar if you want. I've been cooped up in my office for far too long, havn't been able to get any practice time in." the young leader replied. He gave a small bow as River said, "Night" and walked over to his main office, which is separate from the Council Chambers. Normally, he would make his way over to his home but with the Sylfae issue he wanted to check on something. "There has to be a reason she was never promoted..." he muttered as the street lamps were lit. Unlike the rest of the town buildings that were still lit up, his office was dark.

No wanting to waste any time, Al quickly turned on a few lights and rushed over to one of the many file cabinets. "Sylfae...Sylfae..." he said as his fingers flew over the many various files. After a few moments of searching he pulled up a rather large file and threw it over onto his scroll covered desk (yep...just like his council chamber office lol). Taking a seat, he opened the file to her ninja training records. "Highly skilled....much potential..." Al muttered as he read through notes he already knew. After a few minutes of reading he came upon an old recommendation for promotion by one of her superiors. There was a small note next to the pervious Leader's signiture: "Recommendation Denied: Possibility of becoming radical." Albireo's usually cheerful face was now in a state of surprise. "You've got to be joking..." he said still surprised, "Was Kotaro (name of last leader) a mind reader or something..." He then went ahead and placed the file back where he found it, knowing there was nothing he could do for her now except fight her.

The cool night air felt nice on Albireo's face. It was a welcome thing after the stuffy office. The streets were now mostly devoid of people. Though he would come across the occaisional late night guard. His thoughts were now away from the Sylfae issue and now on the Moon clan. He knew he would have to leave the next day, there was no other choice. "This should prove to be intersting..." Passing by the now empty central square, he made his way to his modest home. Upon reacing his room he simply collapsed onto the large bed and fell asleep, shoving all his worried thoughts away.

[Akans]

"As I said before, skill is everything here, and you have shown it greatly. Your questions will be answered!" said Sirius as he stood infront of Sylfae.

"But are they to be answered soon enough, Sleif? Please, I have been ignorant of the war ever since it has started. I have been passed over from promotion many times by the previous Leader of the Wind Clan, as well as Albireo. No doubt he had his reasons but..." Sylfae stopped herself. She did not need her anger to control her.

"My point is, I do not know anything about the state of affairs at this current point in time. While this is normally suicidal to admit, I am admitting it now because I can stand up to your power.

Please do not anger me." And with that, Sylfae spun on her heels and went into her new house.

[sephiroth2]

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"Please do not anger me." Sleif listened as Sylfae said this, as she turned and went into her house, to find Sleif already there, in a large chair.

"I wouldn't dream of it!" Sleif said with a slight grin on his face. You may get your answers whenever you like! If you want, I can tell you all about it later. I have a gift, I would like to give you then!" Sleif said as he stood from the chair, and slowly walked past Sylfae.

"Come whenever you would like, and my people will help you!" said Sleif as he walked towards the largest building in the clan.

[booklet3]

Kiran head shot up off his pillow. It was raining out side. "Thunder mus of woken me" he thought. He laid down after practicing the Wind Embodiment Jutsu, and must of fallen asleep. He wondered what the day would bring. Alberio was going to give him another mission. He got out of bed and dressed himself.

Walking in his kitchen, he asked if they got anything from Alberio and his mother said no. He sat down and ate a meal his mom had already prepared. After wards, he back to his room and pack the essentials that he usually brought on a mission. This time he decided he would take the Huro Scythe. He really wanted to be prepared for anything.

Kiran was pretty sure he packed for anything that could happen. As he was walking out the door, he remembered one last thing. He ran back and grabbed the box with the Kelnag's and other developers wind scrolls. Kiran wanted to learn every last scroll in the box.

Finally, he said goodbye to his mother and left. He would slowly make his way to the Council Chambers to see if Alberio was there. Dashed off in the rain

[BladeMaster Zane]

ooc: Eh...pardon my abscence

The soft pitter patter of rain woke Albireo the next day. He made the rather foolish choice of leaving his windows open, which made his room quite chilly. Mumbling something about fire, Albireo shut the windows and began grabbing fresh clothes. Seeing how it was raining, the young leader grabbed a pair of jeans, black t-shirt, and his signiture brown cloak. "What to do first..." he said while slipping on his shoes. Since it was raining Al figured most of the outdoor shops would be closed, making for a much quicker trip across central square. "Kiran is probably looking for me," Al said with a small laugh, "Guess I'll go pick River up." He then grabbed a small bag from under his desk and made his way into the rain.

As he walked into the rain Albireo stretched his right arm out. From the sleeve of his coat 40 or 45 pieces of paper flew out and formed a sort of umbrella above Al. Unlike usual paper which would become soaked and rip, the water merely rolled of the paper. It was just as Albireo predicted, the streets were nearly devoid of people. The carts were moved out of the way in the Square and the tables under the tree empty. A few moments later the young leader entered the inn, glad to be out of the rain. Jack Seled was at the main desk half asleep. Laughing, Albireo tossed a paper ball at the inn keeper and said, "Rise and shine Jack." Flustered, Jack quickly woke up and recomposed himself before the leader. "Sorry Albireo, was hard sleeping last night with the thunder. Shall I wake Miss River?" Albireo gave a short nod and Jack was on his way.

[Akans]

Sylfae collapsed to the ground, exhausted from her own training regime. She had designed this at age 9, and had added more and more things to it until it took her two hours or so to finish

She started by warmining up - literally. She expelled chakra slowly to warm the air around her, and held it for a few minutes, practicing chakra control. She then continued onto manipulating air, compressing and making it flow like water, finishing by sharpening it and cutting down a good sized tree or something similar. Afterwards, she worked on the techniques she had trouble with, and new ones she designed herself. Lastly, she would then practice her one most powerful Jutsu, the Mass Implosion Jutsu. Sylfae usually put all her energy into controlling it, but it still was strong enough to destroy the grass and the few trees in the half-kilometer diameter around her, though it took up all her chakra and left her on the ground, helpless.

A few minutes later, she felt better and got up to a sitting position. Sylfae had chosen a deserted meadow outside of the Darkness Clan, and practiced through the night. She was developing a new style of fighting - the Dance of the Heavenly Winds, heavily influenced by the Wind Clan.

If the Darkness Clan ever launched an attack, (OOC: Looks at sephiroth2) she would be ready.

OOC: A lot of talking and diplomacy. Makes me kinda regret leaving the peaceful Wind Clan...

[Skitty Cat]

Rolling out of bed, she moved over to where she had tossed her stuff the previous day. She grabbed the brush, glancing at the mirror she winced at the sight. Heaving a sigh River listened to the knock at the door. Turning to face the portal she grinned as Jack called, "Miss River, Albireo would like to speak with you. He's down stairs in the lobby."

"Alright Jack!"

Forgetting about her hair River bolted out of the room. Panting when she reached Al, she heard the inn keeper laugh. Whipping around she demanded, "What?"

"Your hair River."

Realizing that she hadn't brushed it, she began panicking as she rumbled, "Great, just my bloody luck!"

Looking at Jack she frowned when he continued to laugh. "It's not funny!" she whined.

Pouting when Jack Seled didn't stop, she mumbled crossly, "I mean it Jack, it's not funny."

~--------~

OOC: Short I know, but it'll have to work. Just getting over from being sick.

[sephiroth2]

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Standing in the semi wiped out area, Sleif slowly walked towards Saffire. "You have gotten quite stronger since the last time, that is certain!" Sleif said as he approached Saffire.
"I assume, you have grown tired of you surrounds, and so I have come to tell you something, I hope you would enjoy!"

"I am sending a small force of warriors, to test the defense an strength of the other clans, and first on the list is your old one. The Wind Clan!" said Sleif, with a slight grin on his face.
"They have already assembled at the front gate, and will move out whenever you are ready!" with saying that, Sleif turned and began to walk away from the area.

"I will say one more thing, before I go! Sirius will be accompanying you, and I have given him a gift for you, which I hope you will enjoy!" Sleif said as he disappeared from sight.

[Shadows Fall]

"Yun would like to speak to you, Ryohei. He scented these pups and is quite furious that you nor Zeke reported to him. I suggest you get your tail moving before he loses his temper even more."

Letting out a sigh, Ryohei placed his hand on his forehead and squeezed the area in between his eyes with his index and middle fingers. He had been caught and by the way Senka had reported the news to him, things weren't going to be easy for him when confronting the clan leader, Yun. Relaxing and ridding all of the tension in his body the expert lowered his hand and shifted his attention over to the young fellow clan member. Giving her a rather bland look Ryohei simply nodded and then approached Kira, leaning his head just a bit over her shoulder so that his lips were near her ear.

"I'll deal with this, okay?" he whispered. "There's no need to worry, I'll be fine. You and your friend should return where you came but come back later if you'd like. . ." Ryohei added as he moved away but then smirked, shaking his head and leaning over her shoulder once more. "And as for your question, yes, Senka can get this irritable. You'll get use to it though."

Moving away once more, Ryohei turned around and walked over to Senka and nodded once more before sprinting off into the forest around Zeke's dojo, where deep inside lied master Yun's dojo.

[Akans]

OOC: Can I take control of some of the other Darkness Clan ninjas?

Sylfae yawned as she strolled to the gates of the Darkness Clan. Dawn had just broken over the horizon, and she had slept very little. That may affect her performance, but there were other ninjas around her to take advantage of. If worst came to worst, she could always sacrafice a few of the ninja fodder.

Upon arrival of the gate, she came upon a motley assortment of ninjas, fighters, and warriors, very few of which she sensed respectable aura. But then again, looks were not everything. Sirius had been crafty despite his weak powers. And as fate had it, he was the first one to see her.

Ignoring the others for the moment, she walked straight up to Sirius.
"Sleif said that you had something for me. Do you have it with you?" Sylfae asked.

[sephiroth2]

OOC: Sure, except Sirius though, but beside the important ones you can take control of a few.

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Sirius waited at the main gate, with a few of the other clans soldiers and warriors, for the operation to begin. At that moment, Sirius noticed Sylfae coming towards his direction, ignoring the others as she walked.
"Sleif said that you had something for me. Do you have it with you?" Sirius heard Sylfae say.

"Yes, I do!" Sirius simply said as he handed Sylfae a scroll. "Lord Sleif said, that you had great interest in scrolls, and so he has offered this gift!" Sirius said to Sylfae.